'Build the wall' and 'Fake news:' Crowd fired up ahead of Trump rally in Tampa

Sarah Jarvis | The News-Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Watch: Trump visits Tampa for rally, touts support for Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis got a big boost from President Trump during the Make America Great Again Rally at the Florida State Fair Grounds, Expo Hall in Tampa Tuesday.

TAMPA — The chants of "build the wall" and "fake news" began long before Trump entered the building.

With two hours to go until President Donald Trump was to speak at a rally Tuesday, the atmosphere kicked into gear at the Florida State Fairgrounds' Expo Hall. Smaller groups of people ignited cheers around the 8,000-seat hall by holding up "blacks for Trump" signs and shouting "CNN sucks" at the press scrum.

For many people, the excitement came after waiting and braving the rain for hours leading up to the "Make America Great Again Rally," at which Trump was to tout his recent endorsement of Florida gubernatorial candidate, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, ahead of the Aug. 28 primaries.

Will be in Tampa tonight. A big year for @RepDeSantis, who will be a great governor for Florida. Strong on Crime, Borders and our 2nd Amendment. Big help on Tax & Regulation Cuts. Loves our Military & our Vets. Has my Full & Total Endorsement! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 31, 2018

Larry Kestner, an 80-year-old attendee from Ellenton, arrived around 2 p.m. and waited in the parking lot with "one little umbrella." He said he's been to many presidential rallies, but this was his first Trump rally, and he was "anxious to see how he connects with the people."

"Trump is the first person that's done what he said he's gonna do," Kestner said. "All the rest of them paid lip service ... but he's the one that said it and tries to do it."

More: Live updates: President Donald Trump holds campaign rally in Tampa, Florida

Steve Kestner, a 73-year-old resident of Sun City Center, said he was drawn to Trump for the same reasons.

"I love Trump," said Kestner. "He's doing a great job; just tells it like it is."

Larry Kestner said Trump's endorsement of DeSantis carried weight for him. He speculated that DeSantis' opponent, state Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam, would win if Trump hadn't endorsed DeSantis.

A Mason-Dixon poll released Friday showed DeSantis as the clear front-runner. The poll found 41 percent support DeSantis and 23 percent back Putnam, with 2 percent for Bruce Nathan and 28 percent undecided.

More: Poll shows Graham, DeSantis lead governor's race

"I keep up pretty good, so I know their positions. I know Putnam wasn't with us in the beginning," Larry Kestner said. "I just hope that the rest of the Republicans see what's happening to Putnam — they should have gotten on the bandwagon long ago."

Larry Kestner, an Ohio native, said middle America has been "hauled out," adding that "they're like ghost towns."

"Trump at least is making a difference," Larry Kestner said.

Steve Kestner said he enjoyed the camaraderie among those waiting in the parking lot, adding that "we just got to meet a lot of regular people." Larry Kestner said he didn't like that he saw a Confederate flag ahead of the rally, but added that he hoped the press wouldn't focus on it.

"If there's one bad apple, the press will make a mountain out of a molehill," Larry Kestner said.

Lisa Towell, a 56-year-old resident of Bradenton, said she enjoyed meeting new people "with the same type of thinking" while waiting. She said if you're used to waiting in lines at Disney World, then it wasn't bad waiting for the rally.

"He's done so much in such a little amount of time," Towell said, adding that she was interested in hearing more from Trump about DeSantis at the rally.

"If Trump endorses him, then I endorse him," Towell said.

More: Trump to join Florida gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis in Tampa campaign rally

Michael Resina and Matthew Nichols, 17-year-old volunteers, said they want people to know that young people support Trump.

"You'll see young people in the news — it's like, everyone supports Hillary or everyone is liberal," Nichols said. "But there's conservatives in there, like us, and we support Trump very much. We love his policies."

A group of attendees sparked some of the strongest reaction ahead of the rally by chanting "CNN sucks," "fake news" and "tell the truth" at the media in the center of of Expo Hall. A group of black men wearing shirts reading "Trump and Republicans are not racist" periodically sparked waves of applause by holding signs that read "Blacks for Trump."

Attendees held other signs highlighting specific demographics, including "women for Trump," and "LGBT for Trump". Resina said the community created among the attendees was welcoming, adding that "everyone is included here."

Connect with this reporter @SarahJarvisNP on Twitter and Facebook or at sjarvis@news-press.com.