President Trump touts tax refunds, healthcare policies during event at The Villages: ‘Golden age of America’ – WCJB
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) — President Donald Trump arrived in Ocala Friday afternoon before speaking in The Villages. This marks his first major public event since the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last Saturday.
He started his speech at The Villages Charter School, addressing the shooting.
“There was just an attempt, I won’t use the word, an attempt they say on my life. I should be indoors at a secure facility, where I can quietly, beautifully, and safely play out my term,” the president said. “So they want me to be in a secure place, I said, ‘What’s more secure than the Villages?’”
The event was called “Golden Age for the Golden Years” and focused on celebrating the “No Tax on Social Security” policy.
“Our country is hot again,” said Trump. “Golden age of America.”
Trump highlighted the story of Mary Alice, a Villages resident, who received a big tax refund due to the administration’s tax policy. She thanked the president for her refund and said she used the money for a new roof.
He also spoke about the various medical policies of the administration, touting success at bringing down some prescription drug prices, including weight-loss medications.
A few people got the crowd ready for Trump, including gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, Senator Ashley Moody, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
One of the many other topics he addressed at the event was the Iran War. Trump said the U.S. would not leave the conflict early only to be forced to return a few years later.
“We’re in a war because we cannot let lunatics have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said as the crowd chanted “USA.”
The president said oil prices will come “crashing down” once the war ends.
He ended the event speaking about the issues of transgender athletes playing in women’s sports competitions and the presidential election results in 2020 and 2024.
Early Friday morning, people had already shown up outside the Villages Charter School and the Ocala International Airport.
Officials say attendees at the event went through TSA-style screening, and even those who RSVP may not be guaranteed entry once capacity is reached.
“We heard about it, and we said let’s go see what the action is, and a lot of people here looking,” said Tom Rosado, a resident.
A group near the charter high school was hoping to spread its voice as well. The Villages Democratic Club rounded up people on Friday morning to start a golf cart protest. Many were holding signs and trying to get a reaction from the vehicles driving.
“Hopefully, we are getting enough people awake to realize they’ve got to stand up and get our congressman to do their jobs here for our democracy, primarily the corruption, the lack of balances and checks, and the killing of small businesses,” said Wanda Smith, a protest participant.
The issues they say they are protesting include redistricting, protecting voting rights, workers over billionaires, and gerrymandering.
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