JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — President Donald Trump campaigned for re-election with a visit to Cecil Airport in Jacksonville on Thursday evening.
Trump said he doesn’t believe the man he calls ‘Sleepy Joe’ will be so sleepy when they hold their first debate. Trump said Joe Biden’s aides will give him a big shot of something before Tuesday’s debate, and that will give Biden so much energy, he’ll be like Superman for about 15 minutes.
Trump also told the crowd at Cecil Airport that Biden’s economic plan will crush Florida, but if Trump is reelected, prosperity will surge. Trump also predicted victory in what he calls the most important election in the history of our country.
Panoramic shot of the President Trump campaign rally in #Jacksonville tonight. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/Za0Hj52Wis
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) September 25, 2020
An up close look from photographer @jmojax08. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews https://t.co/yhFvMgo0lS
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) September 24, 2020
5:30 p.m. - Mayor Lenny Curry spoke at the rally, talking about when his first met Trump back in 2012.
#NOW: City of #Jacksonville Mayor @lennycurry speaking at @realDonaldTrump rally. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/k9ZIC6UPaP
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) September 24, 2020
5 p.m. - Protesters against Trump were kicked out of the rally. There are also protesters outside of Cecil Field.
#BREAKING: Demonstrators escorted out of @realDonaldTrump rally in #Jacksonville. #Trump@ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/dWgQevxS4F
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) September 24, 2020
Protesters just kicked out of tonight’s rally for President Trump while the crowd shouts “U.S.A.” @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/LLaZk4Z6mu
— Josh Morgan (@jmojax08) September 24, 2020
4:30 p.m. - The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office states that Aviation Avenue is backed up to 103rd Street.
#Jacksonville:
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) September 24, 2020
Aviation Avenue is backed up to 103rd Street. If you are trying to park at Cecil Airport, please use New World Avenue. pic.twitter.com/E5pSLYQauN
4 p.m. - Doors officially opened for the rally. Hundreds of people lined up and even more were arriving and parking.
The long lines out the registration area. @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/ATgi3Pcj8K
— Hannah Lee (@HannahLee_WOKV) September 24, 2020
#NOW: Hundreds of people standing in line ahead @realDonaldTrump event in #Jacksonville. #Trump pic.twitter.com/oMZpkBI1gB
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) September 24, 2020
11:30 a.m. - Vice President Joe Biden released a statement ahead of Trump’s visit to Jacksonville.
"Since President Trump’s last visit to Florida just two weeks ago, over 40,000 more Floridians have tested positive for coronavirus and the state marked 13,000 COVID-related deaths. Black Floridians in Duval County are being hit especially hard by this pandemic, where the number of cases is 2.6 times higher for Black residents than white residents, small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, and families are reeling from the loss of loved ones. President Trump’s focus is not on ending this crisis, though; he’s instead fighting to get the U.S. Supreme Court to tear down the entire Affordable Care Act, including its protections for as many as 7.8 million Floridians with pre-existing conditions. If he succeeds, insurers could deny coverage for Floridians with lasting COVID-19 complications.
President Trump does not have a plan, but I do — to beat COVID-19, build our economy back better, and protect and build upon the Affordable Care Act by giving Americans more choice, reducing health care costs, and making our health care system less complex to navigate."
10 a.m. - Supporters were already seen lining up early Thursday morning at Cecil Airport ahead of the rally. Temperature checks are being done and masks are asked to be worn. Masks will be given out.
For those heading to the rally tonight at 7:00 p.m. to see President Trump temperature checks are required and mask are being given out @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/nBRdSGH2RA
— Alicia Tarancon (@AliciaANJax) September 24, 2020
Check out the line of #Trump supporters who are at Cecil Airport this morning to see Present Trump tonight at 7 p.m. NEXT at 8:30 a.m. you’ll hear from one man that got to Jacksonville on Tuesday just to see the president @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/ch8uIiBG90
— Alicia Tarancon (@AliciaANJax) September 24, 2020
Nick Seabrook with the University of North Florida told WOKV that Trump visiting Jacksonville is a chance for him to gain traction in a key swing state as the November election gets closer.
“I think the significance is that Duval County is really important for this election because it’s a swing county in really the most important swing state,” says Seabrook, who works as an associate professor of public administration at UNF."
To reserve tickets, visit this website: https://events.donaldjtrump.com/events/president-donald-j-trump-hosts-a-great-american-comeback-event-in-jacksonville-fl-september-24
Cox Media Group