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Donald Trump Holds Rally In Ocala

WUFT | By Alex Sargent
Published October 13, 2016 at 3:07 PM EDT
(WUFT News)
(WUFT News)

With the election less than a month away, Donald Trump took part in a rally in Ocala on Wednesday.

Two children sleep during Trump’s speech Wednesday afternoon. Over the course of the rally, speakers focused on the importance of this election on future generations. “The election of Hillary Clinton would lead to the almost total destruction of this country,” Trump said. “This is the last chance you’ll get to save your country. You’re not going to get another chance.”
Two children sleep during Trump’s speech Wednesday afternoon. Over the course of the rally, speakers focused on the importance of this election on future generations. “The election of Hillary Clinton would lead to the almost total destruction of this country,” Trump said. “This is the last chance you’ll get to save your country. You’re not going to get another chance.”

 

Cassidy Cushman (left) and Shelby McClellan dressed up as Donald Trump and his proposed border wall for the rally Wednesday morning. After receiving complaints and threats for wearing the outfits during homecoming week at Palatka High School, the pair said they decided to wear them in a place where more people would appreciate their support for Trump. “He’s my idol,” McClellan said. “He’s just really a great choice.”
Cassidy Cushman (left) and Shelby McClellan dressed up as Donald Trump and his proposed border wall for the rally Wednesday morning. After receiving complaints and threats for wearing the outfits during homecoming week at Palatka High School, the pair said they decided to wear them in a place where more people would appreciate their support for Trump. “He’s my idol,” McClellan said. “He’s just really a great choice.”

 

US Representative Daniel Webster addresses Trump’s supporters during his rally Wednesday afternoon. Even after Trump lost the endorsement of numerous high-profile Republicans, including senators, representatives, and governors, over the past week, Webster has continued to support Trump’s candidacy. “I may be in congress, but I’m supporting Donald Trump for president,” Webster said.
US Representative Daniel Webster addresses Trump’s supporters during his rally Wednesday afternoon. Even after Trump lost the endorsement of numerous high-profile Republicans, including senators, representatives, and governors, over the past week, Webster has continued to support Trump’s candidacy. “I may be in congress, but I’m supporting Donald Trump for president,” Webster said.

 

John Nawrocki (left) and David Maquis stand outside the Trump rally on Wednesday morning. Nawrocki, who identifies as a member of the Tea Party, said that supporting Trump is just his latest form of protest against the government. “I’ve been fighting against Obama for the past eight years now,” he said, "and I'm not stopping any time soon."
John Nawrocki (left) and David Maquis stand outside the Trump rally on Wednesday morning. Nawrocki, who identifies as a member of the Tea Party, said that supporting Trump is just his latest form of protest against the government. “I’ve been fighting against Obama for the past eight years now,” he said,

 

Craig Moore sells a t-shirt that reads “Deplorable Me!” to someone waiting in line to see Donald Trump on Wednesday morning. After Democratic rival Hillary Clinton called Trump’s supporters a “basket of deplorables” during a speech in September, the phrase has become one of the Trump campaign’s most used talking points. “Crooked Hillary thinks you are deplorable and irredeemable,” Trump said Wednesday. “I call you hardworking American patriots.”
Craig Moore sells a t-shirt that reads “Deplorable Me!” to someone waiting in line to see Donald Trump on Wednesday morning. After Democratic rival Hillary Clinton called Trump’s supporters a “basket of deplorables” during a speech in September, the phrase has become one of the Trump campaign’s most used talking points. “Crooked Hillary thinks you are deplorable and irredeemable,” Trump said Wednesday. “I call you hardworking American patriots.”

 

A man, who chose to be identified as Mike Campaign HQ, sells bottles of water to people waiting in line to see Donald Trump on Wednesday morning. The line to get into the event began to form before 7 a.m., and people continued to enter the venue until after 2 p.m.
A man, who chose to be identified as Mike Campaign HQ, sells bottles of water to people waiting in line to see Donald Trump on Wednesday morning. The line to get into the event began to form before 7 a.m., and people continued to enter the venue until after 2 p.m.

 

Fmr. New York City Mayor Rudi Giuliani speaks before Donald Trump comes on stage Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve never seen enthusiasm like the kind you have for Donald Trump,” he said. Giuliani, who has been one of Trump’s most outspoken campaigners over the past month, used his speech highlight recent revelations made by hacktivist group Wikileaks, accusing Clinton of being two-faced, and of supporting open borders.
Fmr. New York City Mayor Rudi Giuliani speaks before Donald Trump comes on stage Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve never seen enthusiasm like the kind you have for Donald Trump,” he said. Giuliani, who has been one of Trump’s most outspoken campaigners over the past month, used his speech highlight recent revelations made by hacktivist group Wikileaks, accusing Clinton of being two-faced, and of supporting open borders.

 

College students Simon Dickerman (left) and Jakob Wakefield register people to receive absentee ballots. Dickerman said that most of the people he had talked to seemed “skeptical,” and that several had told him that they didn’t believe their votes would be counted if they didn’t cast them in person.
College students Simon Dickerman (left) and Jacob Wakefield register people to receive absentee ballots. Dickerman said that most of the people he had talked to seemed “skeptical,” and that several had told him that they didn’t believe their votes would be counted if they didn’t cast them in person.

 

Rich Denmark holds a Clinton/Kaine sign as people leave the arena Wednesday afternoon. Even though no protestors were removed from the venue during the rally, the audience booed requests from the stage not to harm any who might try to disrupt the proceedings.
Rich Denmark holds a Clinton/Kaine sign as people leave the arena Wednesday afternoon. Even though no protestors were removed from the venue during the rally, the audience booed requests from the stage not to harm any who might try to disrupt the proceedings.

 

Elaine Lee and Veldon Colby dance while waiting for Donald Trump to speak Wednesday afternoon. The pair danced to the soundtrack of the Rolling Stones and Backstreet Boys that played over the course of the day, and occasionally during Trump’s roughly hour-long speech.
Elaine Lee and Veldon Colby dance while waiting for Donald Trump to speak Wednesday afternoon. The pair danced to the soundtrack of the Rolling Stones and Backstreet Boys that played over the course of the day, and occasionally during Trump’s roughly hour-long speech.

 

Bob Gaffney and his dog Dally stand in front of an imprisoned mannequin of Hillary Clinton before Trump’s rally Wednesday morning. Throughout the day, chants of “Lock her up!” were audible from the people waiting in line, and from audience members during the rally. Trump also reiterated his plan to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the Clintons after he is elected president, and emphasized the need to investigate the FBI’s investigation into Sec. Clinton’s email scandal.
Bob Gaffney and his dog Dally stand in front of an imprisoned mannequin of Hillary Clinton before Trump’s rally Wednesday morning. Throughout the day, chants of “Lock her up!” were audible from the people waiting in line, and from audience members during the rally. Trump also reiterated his plan to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the Clintons after he is elected president, and emphasized the need to investigate the FBI’s investigation into Sec. Clinton’s email scandal.

 

Donald Trump supporters cheer during a rally in Ocala in October. Turnout from Florida voters in this year's presidential race exceeded some predictions that said turnout would drop because of dissatisfaction with both Trump and his main opponent, Hillary Clinton. (Alex Sargent/WUFT News)
A member of the crowd waves her hat at Donald Trump during his speech Wednesday afternoon. Event organizers estimated that 10,000 people attended the rally, while Trump claimed in his speech that the number was closer to 15,000. The crowd frequently interrupted Trump’s speech with cheers, boos and chants, including perennial favorites “Build the Wall” and “Lock Her Up.”

 
Tags
Government and Politics OcalaDonald TrumpFBIElectionwaterprotestorsPalatka High SchoolTrump
Alex Sargent
Alex is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 407-902-8783 or emailing asargent@ufl.edu.
See stories by Alex Sargent