THE VILLAGES, FL (352today.com) – The size of the line increased exponentially as the hours went by in anticipation with the hope of getting into see President Donald J. Trump, who spoke at The Villages High School, on May 1, 2026.
Some people camped overnight and others arrived during the early morning hours.
Pete Crotty from Crotty Connections was selling patriotic merchandise, and the man known as “Patriotic Pete,” wasn’t shy in sharing his opinions.
“He’s just trying to relay his message that the media is totally corrupt,” said Crotty. “It’s just sad at what’s happening today. There really are a lot of people that are uneducated. They’re not even teaching history to kids in school anymore. What we have to do is get the base energized and we have to get them to the polls at the mid-term (elections) because if we don’t go forward with the process that we have right now, it’s going to be a sad state of affairs. America spoke on election day in Nov. 2024, and reelected President Donald Trump and we have to keep that momentum going. It’s really simple math. We have to be behind the president and the policies. They say this is going to be the most moral generation since Eisenhower. It’s bringing morals and values back into America.”
Terry Berland came to The Villages High School to see President Trump speak, who he believes is the greatest American president during his lifetime.
“It’s a great opportunity, everybody’s supporting the country,” said Berland. “We’re here for the president.”
President Trump is doing a great job for this country, said Nelson Ngo, who believes the president is doing the right thing for the country, and wanted to stand behind him, believing that our nation needs a political leader like our nation’s president.
“He shifted the country from being on the left. He’s tried to keep peace for the whole world. We came in here to support him and love him and give him a big hand for what the government has done,” said Ngo. “Making America Great Again is for any American, not just for Republicans, but for all Americans.”
It’s always a refreshing thing to have the president of the United States bring his ideas to the public because this is how he connects with his constituency, something that the Democratic party doesn’t do, said Jay Rodriguez, Bilingual Network Ministries.
“A lot of people want to criticize the president…we have to understand that the American citizen knows better than to listen to ideological lies, said Rodriguez. “I’m a Hispanic American and I’m proud of being Hispanic. I believe he will create great things.”
One of the things that Rodrigeuz believes, being from Puerto Rico, is in Puerto Rican statehood, and that the flag will grow in stars after President Trump leaves office and will grow between two and four states, before his term is over.
A deep sense of patriotic pride was on display in support of President Trump, as the nation celebrates its semiquincentennial in 2026.
“This is his home state, we’re all here supporting him,” said Lynn Riffle. “We love what he’s doing for this country. We’re 100% behind him with everything he’s doing.”
Maria Pavon demonstrated her support for President Trump in a unique way with attire affirming her affinity for our nation’s leader.
“I think everybody supports him, and this is my way to show my support toward him because that man has almost died three times, and he will still continue fighting for us because all he wants for us is to be safe. This is a little thing compared to what he does for us,” said Pavon. “He loves his country. His love for his country is so great that he puts his life up front.”