TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Trump campaign is making its way through Florida this weekend, in Pensacola Friday and on Saturday in Lakeland and Tallahassee.
When the Vice President lands on the runway at Tallahassee International Airport, there is expected to be a crowd of hundreds waiting for him.
"There's a great yearning in this country," said Steve Cortes, Trump Campaign Senior Advisor for Strategy. "There's such enthusiasm among our followers."
While there are concerns about large events like this one, the campaign website says masks are required, people should socially distance, and temperatures will be taken at the hangar.
Cortes says anybody who feels comfortable doing so should get a ticket.
"Somebody who is 95 years old who has a heart condition probably shouldn't be attending the Trump rally or any crowded event," Cortes said. "Somebody who is 35 and very healthy may very well choose to join in a Trump event so we believe in individual choice, and we defer to the good judgment of the American people."
Nikki Fried, Florida's Agriculture Commissioner, says the event is asking for trouble.
"Please social distance as much as possible," said Fried. "Wear your mask. Or just don't attend. That's a better message."
Fried points to events like this one as a potential spreader for COVID-19.
"Here in Florida, we have lost over 16,000 Floridians," Fried said. "These are lives lost. No longer people that can sit together at dinner tables or alongside their spouses."
Cortes insists these rallies are nothing to be concerned about, and if there were cause for concern, we'd all know about it.
"The evidence just does not at all point to, that we've been holding these rallies for many, many weeks all over the country and believe me corporate national media in this country would be absolutely chomping at the bit if there were evidence if any of these had caused serious illness around the country," said Cortes.
Those who want to attend can request a ticket from the campaign website.
They'll also be giving away free masks at the event. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
