President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a victory rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, the day before he returns to the White House for a second term.
This is an important moment for the 45th and soon to be 47th president, not only for his inauguration, but also for the next administration.
It could also help determine how much influence Florida Republicans and other politicians have.
USA TODAY Network – Florida monitors the rally for highlights and notable moments from the Sunshine State.
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President Trump gives encouragement to Floridians Stallone and Hogan
6:10 p.m. — Retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan lives in Clearwater. Sylvester Stallone lives in Palm Beach. (The actor made headlines last year when he announced he was moving permanently from California.)
But President-elect Trump said both men attended a rally on Sunday and thanked them both during his speech.
President Trump named Stallone, actor Jon Voight (who spoke at Sunday’s rally), and actor/director Mel Gibson as “special ambassadors to the great but deeply troubled place of Hollywood, California.” wrote Truth Social.
“They will serve as my emissaries with the goal of bringing back Hollywood, which has lost so much business to foreign countries over the past four years, bigger, better, and stronger than ever!” Some very talented people will be my eyes and ears and I will implement their suggestions. It will once again be the Golden Age of Hollywood, just like the United States itself! ”
Donald Trump says deportation is coming
5:55 p.m. — President-elect Trump tells a rally that big changes are coming, and they will affect the entire country, but especially the state of Florida.
President Trump said, “Soon, we will begin the largest deportation operation in American history.”
Immigration experts say approximately 5% of Florida’s population (1.1 million people) lives here without legal permission, which can have a significant impact on Florida’s communities, families, workplaces and economy. It states that there is.
President Trump’s eldest son (both from Florida) speaks at rally
5:15 p.m. — President-elect Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, both of Jupiter, Florida, spoke at the rally with their families.
“They want to take the Pledge of Allegiance, and they do it every night,” Eric Trump and his wife, Lara, holding their two young children, said, followed by a speech on stage. And so did the two of them.
Donald Trump Jr. brought his eldest daughter Kai on stage to thank the audience for supporting his grandfather.
Donald Trump Jr. himself said that President-elect Trump is “back bigger, better and stronger than ever.” “For everyone’s sake, we will win.”
Joe Gruters also attended.
4:40 p.m. — State Sen. Joe Gruters posted from the rally: “Finally a rally with my sons before taking the oath!”
The Sarasota congressman, a former Florida Republican Party chairman, has been approved by President Trump to be Florida’s next chief financial officer.
His election won’t be held until 2026, but current CFO Jimmy Patronis will step down at the end of March to run for the House of Representatives.
Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to choose a replacement to fill the seat by Election Day, but is rumored to be leaning toward choosing someone else, according to Florida Politics.
Randy Fine’s Rally Post
3:55 p.m. — Republican state Sen. Randy Fine of Melbourne Beach, who is running for Congress on President Trump’s backing, posted a photo from the rally.
“One more day! Excited to be a part of the Make America Great Again victory rally!” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Trump rally starts late
3:40 p.m. — President-elect Trump’s Sunday rally began more than 30 minutes late with a prayer and a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by singer Kylie Dean.
Trump rally awaits
3:25 p.m. — The rally was scheduled for 3 p.m., but had not yet begun as of 3:25 p.m. ET.
Nevertheless, the Trump team continued to send out fundraising messages.
“At this moment in my rally, I am launching the last Trump rally assault ever,” the text message announcement reads.
This text includes a link to a Winred.com page, a fundraising platform used by Republicans.
So Trump said, “To participate in the last Trump Rally Blitz ever, please donate $10 or whatever you can donate!”
Where and what time is the Trump rally in Washington DC?
President-elect Trump is scheduled to hold a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at Capital One Arena on Sunday, January 19th. The rally is scheduled to begin at 3pm ET, according to the event’s registration page. .
The rally will be held at Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals. The arena has a capacity of approximately 20,000 people.
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Who is expected to speak or perform at Trump’s rally?
The rally at Capital One Arena is being touted as a “victory rally you’ll never forget,” according to the registration sheet. It will be the first time President Trump has headlined a rally since his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election.
Reuters said it will likely be similar to the freewheeling arena speeches that have become a staple of Trump since his first run for the White House in 2016.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been a close ally of Trump since spending more than $250 million to beef up his campaign, and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, Ultimate – He is scheduled to speak at the event along with Fighting Championship CEO Dana White and others. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk and conservative commentator Megyn Kelly.
Singer and rapper Kid Rock, disco group The Village People, singer Billy Ray Cyrus and singer Lee Greenwood are scheduled to perform.
This story contains previously published material. Contributed by USA TODAY. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule is based in Tallahassee, Florida. He can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. Regarding X: @DouglasSoule.
