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Trump Speaks To Thousands At Lakeland Airport

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke to a crowd of several thousand at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport on Wednesday, but made no mention of the controversy that has plagued his campaign since Friday.

The recording of Trump from 2005 where he is heard talking about groping and kissing women without their permission was, however, on the minds of some of his supporters.

Heather Conte said she doesn't like what Trump said but she still supports him because she believes he can make the economy strong.

“I don't like his mouth. I would never marry him,” Conte said. “I think he's a good person. I think he's a Christian. I think he has a good soul. He needs to maybe go take some deep breaths and relax some, especially when it comes to not hurting the feelings of others.”

Conte said terrorism is where the real hate and ugliness lie and she thinks Trump can protect the country from that.

Trump tailored part of his message to voters from Polk County, where farming still makes up a large part of the economy. 

Trump said he will create jobs for Floridians and other Americans by killing President Obama's climate programs, which he said will make electricity prices skyrocket. 

“We're going to take care of Florida farmers and Florida agriculture,” he said. “The Obama/Clinton crew spent $50 billion on climate programs when they should have used that money to help Florida farmers fight diseases that threaten your crops.”

Trump said his plan would unlock $50 trillion in energy reserves in America.

Kim Roberts was undecided before she attended the rally.

She listened to Trump speak for roughly an hour about creating jobs, renegotiating trade deals and fighting ISIS.

When he finished, Roberts was not on the fence anymore.

“He's a very business-smart man. This country is in financial turmoil,” Roberts said. “I have children, I want my kids to be situated when they are older and I think he's gonna be the man to do it. And he is not gonna take no crap from any of these other countries and that's what we need: someone to stand up for us.”

Trump is scheduled to be in West Palm Beach on Thursday.

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Donald Trump speaks to a crowd of supporters at a rally in Lakeland on Wednesday.
Julio Ochoa/WUSF /
Donald Trump speaks to a crowd of supporters at a rally in Lakeland on Wednesday.

Donald Trump's private plane arrives at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport for a rally on Wednesday.
Julio Ochoa/WUSF /
Donald Trump's private plane arrives at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport for a rally on Wednesday.

Julio Ochoa is editor of Health News Florida.
Julio Ochoa
Julio Ochoa is editor of Health News Florida.
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