NewsWLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)October 24, 2026Miami-Dade County
President Donald Trump holds Fort Myers rally to mobilize Florida Republicans ahead of election
Photo: WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)
President Donald Trump held a rally in Fort Myers on Friday to encourage Florida Republicans to vote for GOP candidates, specifically supporting Byron Donalds for governor and Ashley Moody for U.S. Senate. During the event, the Trump administration announced a voluntary 'U.S. Caught Seafood' label as part of its 'America First Seafood Strategy.' Trump also criticized Democratic candidates and touched on foreign policy regarding Iran and Cuba.
Read the full story at WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)Why It Matters
The political event highlights campaign strategies and candidate alignments in closely watched Florida races 11 days before Election Day, while also introducing a new federal seafood labeling initiative involving millions of dollars in the fishing sector.
Key Facts
- President Donald Trump held a 90-minute campaign rally at Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers 11 days before Election Day.
- The primary stated mission of the rally was to urge Florida Republicans to vote for GOP candidates up and down the ticket, specifically endorsing Byron Donalds for governor and Ashley Moody for Senate.
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the administration's 'America First Seafood Strategy,' featuring a new voluntary 'U.S. Caught Seafood' label.
- Florida Democrats, including gubernatorial candidate David Jolly and U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon, held a simultaneous rally at the Florida A&M University campus in Tallahassee.
- Trump criticized David Jolly, calling him a 'radical left candidate' and recalling his departure from the Republican Party.
- Trump and Ashley Moody both criticized Angie Nixon, referencing her membership in the Democratic Socialists of America.
- Trump discussed foreign policy during his speech, hinting at potential U.S. military action against Iran and suggesting returning ships from the Middle East could stop in Cuba.
- Other speakers at the Fort Myers rally included U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, and RNC chair Joe Gruters.
- Governor Ron DeSantis greeted President Trump upon his arrival at Southwest Florida International Airport but did not speak at the rally.
- Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried criticized the visit, suggesting it indicated potential base turnout challenges for Republicans in Lee County.
- Recent polling data cited in the article shows a tight race in Florida, with an NBC6/Telemundo poll putting Trump's Florida approval rating at 48% and his disapproval at 48%.
Who's Mentioned
locationTallahassee“City where Democrats rallied at Florida A&M University.”PersonAshley Moody“Candidate for U.S. Senate and current official.”PersonJD Vance“Vice President who previously appeared in Lakeland.”PersonNikki Fried“Florida Democratic Party chair.”PersonByron Donalds“Republican candidate for Florida governor.”locationFort Myers“City where President Trump held his rally.”locationFlorida“State where the gubernatorial and Senate races are taking place.”PersonRon DeSantis“Florida Governor who greeted Trump at the airport.”PersonJoe Biden“Former President who won the 2020 general election.”PersonRobert F. Kennedy Jr.“Health and Human Services Secretary announcing the seafood strategy.”PersonGreg Steube“U.S. Representative addressing the crowd.”locationLakeland“City where Vice President JD Vance previously appeared.”locationIran“Country referenced in President Trump's foreign policy remarks.”locationTexas“State referenced in Attorney General Moody's slogan remark.”PersonJames Uthmeier“Florida Attorney General addressing the crowd.”PersonMichael Moline“Editor of Florida Phoenix.”locationLee County“County where Trump won by nearly 30 points two years prior.”PersonWilton Simpson“Agriculture Commissioner addressing the crowd.”PersonRick Scott“U.S. Senator addressing the crowd.”PersonDonald Trump“President of the United States holding a campaign rally in Fort Myers.”locationJacksonville“City represented by state Rep. Angie Nixon.”PersonJoe Gruters“Republican National Committee chair addressing the crowd.”locationMiddle East“Region mentioned in connection with returning naval ships.”locationCuba“Country referenced regarding possible naval ship stopovers.”PersonAngie Nixon“Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and Jacksonville state Representative.”PersonDavid Jolly“Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Republican.”