Scenes from President Donald Trump’s visit, rally in Tampa
A near capacity crowd of about 10,000 gathered in and around the Florida State Fairground event center, abuzz with optimism about Trump’s presidency
President Trump speaks to his supporters at a rally in Tampa on July 31, 2018. [CHRIS URSO | Times]
By
James Borchuck, Octavio Jones, Luis Santan, Chris Urso, and Bronte Wittpenn, Tampa Bay Times
Published Aug. 1, 2018|Updated Aug. 1, 2018
Lines from speakers about how Trump is a “fighter” who’s been faced with a tough “opposition” in the form of obstructionist Democrats and the “fake news media” drew raucous applause.
Between speakers, attendees bobbed their heads to the classic rock soundtrack, took selfies and chatted with their neighbors.
Although the audience trickled in for hours ahead of President Trump’s speech, the vast majority of the crowd was seated by the time the master of ceremonies, Hillsborough County GOP Chair Jim Waurishuk, introduced the first speakers at about 6 p.m.
President Donald Trump waves at supporters after landing in Tampa, FL Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [James Borchuck, Tampa Bay Times]
President Donald Trump greets Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi after arriving in Tampa, Tuesday, July 31, 2019. [James Borchuck, Tampa Bay Times]
A President Donald Trump supporter yells at the media during a rally Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Trump supporters packed the Fairgrounds' Expo Hall to listen to the President speak. [Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times]
Supporters of President Donald Trump pose for photos a Trump rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
Supporters of President Donald Trump heckle CNN Jim Acosta during a Trump rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
A President Donald Trump supporter displays his eyeglasses and hat during a rally Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Trump supporters packed the Fairgrounds' Expo Hall to listen to the President speak. [Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times]
A supporter of President Donald Trump heckles CNN Jim Acosta, left, during a Trump rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
A supporter of President Donald Trump walks by the media work area during a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
President Trump supporters yell at CNN reporter Jim Acosta Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa prior to an appearance by the President. [Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times]
Supporters of President Donald Trump fill the stands at the Expo Hall during a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
An unidentified President Trump walks through Expo Hall prior to a rally Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Thousands of supporters packed Expo Hall to listen to President Trump speak. [Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times]
Supporters of President Donald Trump pack the Expo Hall while attending a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
Supporters of President Donald Trump pack the Expo Hall while attending a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
Matthew Nichols, 17, of Tampa hands out 'Make a America Great Again' posters during a President Donald Trump rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
Supporters of President Donald Trump heckle CNN reporter Jim Acosta, left, during a Trump rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
From left, Mimi Pike and Diane Rodriguez stand for a portrait in protest to President Donald Trump before his arrival at Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Bronte Wittpenn, Tampa Bay Times]
Nearly 30 people walk in protest of the arrival of President Donald Trump at Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Bronte Wittpenn, Tampa Bay Times]
David Castellano, 19, yells into a megaphone during a protest against President Donald Trump before his arrival at Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Bronte Wittpenn, Tampa Bay Times]
President Donald Trump greets supporters at the airport after arriving in Tampa Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [James Borchuck, Tampa Bay Times]
Gov. Rick Scott and Ivanka Trump greet supporters at the airport after arriving in Tampa, FL Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [James Borchuck, Tampa Bay Times]
Lara Trump the daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump speaks to Donald Trump supporters during a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
Donald Trump attends a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [James Borchuck, Tampa Bay Times]
President Donald Trump greets supporters as he makes his way into Expo Hall at the State Fairgrounds for a rally Tuesday, July 31, 2018 in Tampa. Trump supporters packed the Fairgrounds' Expo Hall to listen to the President speak. [Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times]
President Donald Trump greets supporters as he makes his way into Expo Hall at the State Fairgrounds for a rally Tuesday, July 31, 2018 in Tampa. Trump supporters packed the Fairgrounds' Expo Hall to listen to the President speak. [Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times]
President Donald Trump speaks during his rally held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
Donald Trump attends a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [James Borchuck, Tampa Bay Times]
Protestors yell as they are escorted from a rally with President Donald Trump Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Trump supporters packed the Fairgrounds' Expo Hall to listen to the President speak. [Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times]
Ruth Smith, 80, Plant City, attends President Donald Trump rally to hear him speak at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
Fredrick Solice, 68, drove Daytona Beach to see President Donald Trump speak during a rally held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]
President Donald Trump waves farewell to his supporters after speaking during a rally held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. [Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times]