Trump Heads to Florida Stronghold in First Public Event Since Foiled Attack
THE VILLAGES, Fla. — President Donald Trump will venture outside the White House for the first time since a foiled assassination attempt, traveling on Friday to a Florida stronghold under mounting political pressure and intense scrutiny of his security .
Trump is expected to tout new tax deductions for seniors and accessibility improvements at the Social Security Administration during a visit to The Villages, a large retirement community that consistently backs Republican candidates. The event will be held at The Villages Charter School at Middleton (High School) in Sumterville, with doors opening as early as 11 a.m. and the president scheduled to speak at 3 p.m. .
The trip comes as Trump’s approval rating swoons to new lows between his two terms, and Republican candidates face political headwinds in November’s midterms . More than six in 10 voters disapprove of Trump’s performance, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. His 34% approval rating equals the political low-watermark from the end of his first term .
Security Under Scrutiny
Security measures will be heavily scrutinized during his Florida trip. In the Saturday attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the alleged assailant, Cole Allen, 31, carrying multiple firearms and knives, was able to come within yards of the ballroom in which Trump, Vice President JD Vance and numerous cabinet officials were seated before he was subdued by security personnel .
Trump has said the incident is proof of the necessity of his controversial new White House ballroom, though the facility would have been too small to host the Saturday event . Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he retained confidence in the Secret Service and said he would not consider wearing a bulletproof vest .
The Villages remains a stronghold for the president, with Sumter County giving him 68% of the vote in the 2024 election, but opposition has become more noticeable during his second term .
After his remarks on Friday at the retirement community, Trump will speak to civic and business leaders across the Sunshine State in Palm Beach, then attend the PGA Cadillac Championship at his Trump National Doral golf resort outside Miami .