When I heard that Donald Trump was going to be in town during my time in Florida, as a Brit, I knew that I just had to go along to witness one of his infamous rallies. What I found amidst a crowd of 20,000 Floridians – who may just hold the balance of power in this election – was a strange mix of passion and despondency. Yes, there were many enthused Trump supporters. But there also seemed to be a large group of people backing the Republican candidate not because he is Donald Trump, but because he isn’t every other politician.

On the journey to the MidFlorida Amphitheatre I found myself stuck in a line of traffic that stretched back onto the highway. Almost 10 miles outside of Downtown Tampa, thousands of people were making a real effort to get here and they were even prepared to pay the price of the traffic as long as it meant seeing Donald Trump. About halfway down the line, a woman emerged from the car in front of us and started performing a cheerleader act in the middle of the road to the delight of the passing traffic. Upon hearing “Give me a T” I assumed that I was going to be in for a fun night.

The queue for the parking was something like I have never seen before. There was an abundance of staff directing cars in each and every direction. As we drove around the parking area we were approached by a number of merchandise sellers promoting all the latest Trump memorabilia. “Hillary for Jail” t-shirts seemed to be doing well and I only saw one stall incendiary enough to be selling the internet famous “Trump that B*tch” shirt.

What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Show all 9 1 /9 What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump denying claims from a number of women that he sexually assaulted them “This is all fiction, all fictionalised, probably or possibly started by her and her very sleazy campaign. I didn't even apologise to my wife who is sitting right here because I didn't even do anything” Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump claiming the Russian leader had “no respect” for Mrs Clinton “She doesn't like Putin because Putin has outsmarted her every step of the way. He has no respect for her. He has no respect for our President." Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump interrupting Mrs Clinton with one of his most scathing personal attacks yet as she explained her policy on social security “Such a nasty woman” Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump claiming Mrs Clinton shouldn't have been allowed to run for presidency and that the election is rigged “She should never have been allowed to run. She’s guilty of a very very serious crime. She should not be allowed to run. And just in that respect, I say it’s rigged.” Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump voicing his “pro-life” stance during the abortion debate “Based on what she's saying ... you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb in the ninth month, on the final day, and that's unacceptable” Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton suggesting this is not the first time Mr Trump has claimed results against him have been rigged “There was even a time when Trump didn't get an Emmy for his TV programme three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged” Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton responding to Mr Trump's lewd comments about women “Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger. He goes after their dignity and self-worth” Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton implying Mr Trump is a “puppet” of Russian president Vladimir Putin “He'd rather have a puppet as president of the United States” Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton comparing her political experience to Mr Trump's former television role “On the day I was in the situation room monitoring the raid that brought Osama Bin Laden to justice he was hosting the Celebrity Apprentice” Getty

Among the mayhem I met democratically active people supporting and opposing down-ballot issues that will be voted on at the same time as the General Election, as well as a group of Veterans selling cheap shirts to raise money for their cause.

As an outsider, I didn’t expect to be given a warm welcome. But as I approached the media table I was flashed a smile by an older lady who told me that the UK press seemed more interested in this race than the previous ones she had worked on. I wonder why. After passing a rigorous security check and a few questions from the Secret Service, I had made it to Trump Land.

I took a seat towards the back of the theatre so that I could watch the full spectacle unfold. The crowd was adorned with pink “Women for Trump” banners that would be launched into the air with each cheer given to the preliminary speakers. Popular former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden urged the crowd to get out and vote, whilst local elected officials spoke more supportively of Trump than some of his other Republican colleagues. Between speeches adverts were played that were highly critical of the Clinton campaign – often leading to raucous cheers of “lock her up”.

Donald Trump's campaign admits for the first time that he is losing

By the time Donald Trump took to the stage the place was packed. He received a number of standing ovations throughout his speech despite saying little that we didn’t already know. What struck me was the hate that people around me had for Hillary Clinton. This is something that doesn’t seem overtly apparent back home. Throughout my time here in Florida, even registered Democrats that I’d spoken to seem to be voting Clinton while holding their nose. Though there was a lot of passion for Donald Trump, there was a genuine sadness about the whole thing given that most people feel let down by both options.