Trump promises to boost tech jobs
Vows to repeal Obamacare, clean up D.C.
SANFORD — Donald Trump on Tuesday promised to bring space and technology jobs to Central Florida, mixing policy with strong invective against his opponent and Washington.
“I will free NASA from the restriction of serving primarily as a logistical agency for low Earthorbit activities,” he told thousands of cheering supporters at an outdoor rally. “We will instead refocus on space exploration. Under a Trump administration, Florida and America will lead the way into the stars.”
The Republican nominee for president was in the midst of a three-day swing through Florida, a key state that political experts say he must win to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.
He flew into Orlando Sanford International Airport on his private jet, which pulled up directly to the crowd that had been moved outside the Million Air hangar.
“I got a call an hour ago, and
they said, ‘We have a problem,’ ” Trump said. “‘People don’t fit into the hangar.’ But that’s a good problem, isn’t it?”
Besides the usual chants of “Lock her up” about Clinton and getting the crowd to chant for building a wall with Mexico, Trump also focused more than usual on specific bills and policies.
He called for term limits for Congress, a ban on lobbyists working for foreign governments and an immediate repeal of Obamacare, which he criticized for projected premium increases next year of as much as 25 percent. But he did not give much detail about what would his health-care plan would do.
“I’m going to repeal this disastrous law and replace it,” he said. “You’re going to have such great health care at such a fraction of the cost. And it’s going to be so easy.”
Trump spoke in greatest detail about Central Florida’s tech sector, saying he would rebuild the military “with technology developed right here in Central Florida.”
“My plan also includes a major investment in space exploration, also right here,” he said. “Over the last eight years, the Obama/ Clinton administration has undermined the space program tremendously. That will change.”
Trump said he would “substantially expand public/private partnerships” to maximize investment in space exploration and development.
Much of the speech still focused on Clinton, who he said “should not be allowed to run for president” because of the State Department email scandal. He also accused her of paying homeless people to come to rallies as protesters to “beat up” his supporters and blamed all violence at his rallies on her.
He continued to insist he would win, citing pictures of early voting in Florida in which “there was a lot of people in line with the red hat” — his signature Make America Great Again head gear.
Supporters in Sanford waited for hours in the sun beforehand, wearing Tshirts with slogans such as “Hillary for Prison” and “Deplorable Me.” One person wore a shiny “TRUMP” belt buckle.
“We want to hear about how he’s going to build the wall,” said Nikki Greathouse of Kissimmee. “How he’s going to defeat ISIS. And jobs. We need jobs in this country something fierce. Good jobs.”
Said Leslee Cochran of Palm Coast, “I want to hear about how I’ll be able to take a vacation when he becomes president. I haven’t been able to take a vacation in eight years.”
Others said they simply wanted to hear Trump repeat everything he’s said already.
“I’m here to send a message,” said Winnie Gustafson of Eustis. “My body is here to say, this is what we’ve been waiting for for so many years. We’ve been stepped on and disrespected by politicians for so many years.”
Across the road, a lone protester, William Turnbull of Clermont, stood with a “Trump lies while America dies” sign.
Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, the final stop of Trump’s Florida campaign swing, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said she remained firmly in Trump’s corner.
“I know Donald Trump. I have seen him evolve in the last 14 months,” said Bondi, who has condemned Trump’s lewd remarks about women. “I think he will be an excellent role model. I know he has raised wonderful kids.”