'I'm here because I want to be among the people': Trump continues his assault on 'fake' news and 'corrupt' media with campaign-style rally in front of 9,000 in Florida after rough week at the White House 

  • President Donald Trump stepped off of Air Force One for a speech in Melbourne, Florida on Saturday
  • He was introduced by the First lady Melania Trump who opened the rally with The Lord's Prayer
  • President spoke about bringing back jobs and increasing national security, and slammed the press
  • He defended the controversial immigration ban and bashed the appellate court that struck it down 

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Donald Trump once again doubled down on the media, telling a cheering crowd in Florida: ‘I want to speak to you without the filter of the fake news.’ 

The president was introduced in front of a crowd of 9,000 in Melbourne by Melania Trump, who led them in The Lord’s Prayer after she and her husband stepped off Air Force One on Saturday afternoon.

The First Lady, after embracing the president, promised to ‘stay true to myself and be truthful to you’ and told the audience, ‘my husband is creating a country of great safety and prosperity’.

The 'Make America Great Again Rally' was almost identical in rhetoric to his 2016 campaign events that focused on bringing back jobs and increasing national security. Unsurprisingly, this rally had a heavier focus on bashing press coverage than before.

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President Trump addressed a crowd of thousands in Melbourne, Florida in a campaign-style rally

President Trump addressed a crowd of thousands in Melbourne, Florida in a campaign-style rally

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive for a campaign rally at the AeroMod International hanger
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive for a campaign rally at the AeroMod International hangar

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive for a campaign rally at the AeroMod International hangar

At 5.43pm ET Trump stepped off of Air Force One in Melbourne where 'Proud to be an American' blared over the loudspeakers

At 5.43pm ET Trump stepped off of Air Force One in Melbourne where 'Proud to be an American' blared over the loudspeakers

Thousands of people listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the AeroMod International hangar at Orlando Melbourne International Airport

Thousands of people listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the AeroMod International hangar at Orlando Melbourne International Airport

First Lady Melania Trump said The Lord's Prayer to kick off the rally. President Trump said this surprised him

First Lady Melania Trump said The Lord's Prayer to kick off the rally. President Trump said this surprised him

First Lady Melania Trump addressed the crowd and said: 'I will always be truthful to myself and be truthful to you no matter what the opposition is saying'

First Lady Melania Trump addressed the crowd and said: 'I will always be truthful to myself and be truthful to you no matter what the opposition is saying'

President Trump bows his head during his wife's reading of the Lord's Prayer
The First Lady, after embracing the president on stage, introduced her husband

President Trump bows his head during his wife's reading of The Lord's Prayer (left). The First Lady, after embracing the president on stage, introduced her husband (right)

At 5.43pm ET Trump stepped off of Air Force One in Melbourne where 'Proud to be an American' blared over the loudspeakers.

He shook hands with some of his supporters, most of who were holding 'Trump/Pence' signs or wearing the famous 'Make American Great Again' hats.

First Lady Melania, dressed in a $2,200 Alexander McQueen dress and $595 Christian Louboutin pointed heels, kicked off the campaign rally with The Lord's Prayer.

'The America we envisioned is one that works for all Americans,' said the First Lady.

'I will always be true to myself and be truthful to you no matter what the opposition is saying,' she continued in a slight dig at the media.

President Trump voiced his surprised that his wife said The Lord's Prayer but said he thought it was a lovely gesture.

'This was a truly great movement and I want to be here with you and I will always be with you. I promise you that,' he said.

'I want to speak to you without the filter of the fake news,' Trump said to a mixture of cheers and boos against the press.

He angrily elaborated on this point, a continuation of his most recent press conference during which he bashed the media.

President Donald Trump throws a hat into the cheering crowd during the campaign-style rally

President Donald Trump throws a hat into the cheering crowd during the campaign-style rally

Thousands of supporters attended the event which was reminiscent of the 2016 rallies. At one point he invited a supporter on stage
Trump spoke about bringing back jobs and increasing national security at the rally

Thousands of supporters attended the event which was reminiscent of the 2016 rallies. At one point, he invited supporter Gene Huber on stage, seemingly at random

President Donald Trump spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to a 'Make America Great Again Rally'

President Donald Trump spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to a 'Make America Great Again Rally'

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the 'Make America Great Again Rally'

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the 'Make America Great Again Rally'

President Trump continued to tout his election win and said Senate Democrats should start winning and get behind his SCOTUS pick

President Trump continued to tout his election win and said Senate Democrats should start winning and get behind his SCOTUS pick

First lady Melania Trump sits and listens to President Donald Trump speak at the campaign-style rally

First lady Melania Trump sits and listens to President Donald Trump speak at the campaign-style rally

He said: 'They [the media] are part of the corrupt system.' 

Trump then spoke about Thomas Jefferson and his distrust of media by taking the Founding Father's quote wildly out of context. 

About the press, Trump said: 'They have their own agenda and their agenda is not your agenda. In fact, Thomas Jefferson said, “nothing can be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle,” that was June 14, my birthday, 1807.'

As Politifact points out, Jefferson wasn't typically adversarial towards the press. He also wrote in 1787: 'The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right.'

Trump addressed a crowd of his supporters in Melbourne, Florida. For part of his speech he spoke about his success with women voters

Trump addressed a crowd of his supporters in Melbourne, Florida. For part of his speech he spoke about his success with women voters

Much of Trump's speech was about media coverage he deemed unfair
Trump said things at the White House were running well

Much of Trump's speech was about media coverage he deemed unfair. He said despite reports, things in the White House were running well

Presdient Trump's campaign-style rally was held four weeks into his presidency 

Presdient Trump's campaign-style rally was held four weeks into his presidency 

President Donald Trump kisses his wife after she introduces him at a campaign rally in Melbourne

President Donald Trump kisses his wife after she introduces him at a campaign rally in Melbourne

'And were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.'

He also pointed to other presidents who he said opposed the press, including Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson.

He also said in a few weeks the GOP would be submitting a health care plan that would repeal and replace 'the disaster that is Obamacare.'

'Our plan will be better healthcare at a much lower cost,' Trump said. 

He then transitioned into how miners would be going back to work soon. Many lost their jobs under President Obama because of environmental regulations. 

The president and first lady greet a cheering crowd in Melbourne, Florida on Saturday

The president and first lady greet a cheering crowd in Melbourne, Florida on Saturday

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a campaign-style rally at Orlando-Melbourne International Airport

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a campaign-style rally at Orlando-Melbourne International Airport

Along the same line, Trump said he would make sure jobs stayed in the country.

'You want a government that keeps its promises. A great spirit of optimism is sweeping across the country,' said Trump referencing the spike in the stock market over the past few months. Some of this spike happened under President Obama.

The rally was similar in tone to the campaign rallies of 2016, heavily focusing on job creation. Trump spoke of his recent deal and visit to Boeing and tied it in to how this is helping relations with American allies.

Insisting he was the victim of false reporting, Trump said his White House was running 'so smoothly' and that he 'inherited one big mess.' 

The president has been trying refocus after reports of disarray and dysfunction within his administration. He did not mention General Michael Flynn's resignation this week or the Russia controversy. 

He did reference Japan Prime Minister Abe's visit earlier this month and a conversation they had where Abe thanked him for a deal on fighter jets.

'I know the media will never thank me so at least Japan is thanking me,' said Trump.  

At one point Trump pulled up a supporter on stage who said a few kind words about Trump. The president said: 'A star is born.'

TRUMP CREATES SECURITY PANIC BY INVITING HIS NUMBER ONE FAN UP ON STAGE TO GIVE A SPEECH

Some speculate that the move was pre-planned, as Huber made comments online that he'd spoken with the President previously and told followers on Facebook to look for him on the news

Huber boasts online of his six-foot cardboard cutout of Trump in his home, which he told reporters he salutes every morning, and prays for the President's safety

 In another seemingly impromptu defiance of security measures, President Trump created a security frenzy by inviting an uber-fan on stage during his rally in Florida on Saturday.

Over the microphone, Trump goaded the agents by saying he was only worried that Gene Huber of Boynton Beach, Florida would give him 'a kiss'.

Huber was then warmly welcomed to the stage by the president, who non-nonchalantly commented that the Secret Service likely wasn't 'thrilled'. 

 For Trump, it was another impulsive risky move that has become expected during his presidency, after dodging the press pool on more than one occasion.

Some speculate that the invite was pre-planned, as Huber made comments online that he'd spoken with the President previously and told followers on Facebook to look for him on the news.

He even posted a photo on February 14th saying that he was receiving a phone call from Trump, who must have known how much he 'supported him every second'.

Huber boasts online of his six-foot cardboard cutout of Trump in his home, which he told reporters he salutes every morning, and prays for the President's safety. 

 

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After speaking about crime, President Trump transitioned to speaking two of his controversial executive orders: the ban and the wall

After speaking about crime, President Trump transitioned to speaking two of his controversial executive orders: the ban and the wall

Trump referenced Prime Minister Abe's visit earlier this month and a conversation they had where Abe thanked him for a deal on fighter jets

Trump referenced Prime Minister Abe's visit earlier this month and a conversation they had where Abe thanked him for a deal on fighter jets

The president said he wanted to build safe zones in Syria instead of bringing in refugees 

It was President Trump's first rally since his inauguration on January 20
First Lady Melania Trump steps from the stage after introducing her husband at the MAGA rally in Melbourne

First Lady Melania Trump steps from the stage after introducing her husband at the MAGA rally in Melbourne (right). It was President Trump's first rally since his inauguration on January 20

When the supporter left the stage Trump ranted that the media would never give his supporters credit, continuing along the line that the 'fake press' is the enemy.

From this he transitioned into protecting police and went on the line about eliminating crime and drugs. Before this he referenced crime in Chicago, something he did often at the end of 2016.

Then he segued to speaking two of his controversial executive orders: the ban and the wall.

'I will keep Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country,' he said to cheers. Outside the rally there were protesters rallying against the ban and the wall.

Trump promised anew to build a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He also pledged to 'do something over the next couple of days' to address the immigration order that has been blocked in the courts. Said Trump: 'We don't give up, we never give up.'

People attend a campaign rally for President Donald Trump at Orlando Melbourne International Airport

People attend a campaign rally for President Donald Trump at Orlando Melbourne International Airport

Air Force One is reflected in a pair of sunglasses as President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the MAGA rally

Air Force One is reflected in a pair of sunglasses as President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the MAGA rally

The event had the familiar trappings of a Trump campaign rally, including red Trump caps, 'Make America Great Again' and 'Trump/Pence' signs and at least one sign reading 'Hillary for Prison.'

The event had the familiar trappings of a Trump campaign rally, including red Trump caps, 'Make America Great Again' and 'Trump/Pence' signs and at least one sign reading 'Hillary for Prison.'

As expected, he started to bash the appellate court that rejected the ban and read part of the 30 page decision to the crowd.   

After a minute of going on a tangent about how well he did with women voters and 'fake polls' that said he wouldn't, he circled back to the court decision.

Trump said he wanted to build safe zones in Syria instead of bringing in refugees.

He then spoke about the Democrat's shocking loss in November and proceeded to attempt to encourage Senate Democrats to confirm SCOTUS nominee Neil Gorsuch.

Trump has said he is interested in preserving Justice Antonin Scalia's legacy with a conservative Supreme Court pick. Several Senate Democrats have threatened to block the nominee like the Republicans did with Merrick Garland.

'We have a chance now to work together and deliver change for the ages,' he said in a rare moment of optimism for these speeches.

TRUMP SPEAKS ON THE TRAVEL BAN SUSPENSION

Trump said he wants to build safe zones in Syria instead of accepting refugees into the country on Saturday 

Trump said he wants to build safe zones in Syria instead of accepting refugees into the country on Saturday 

President Trump voiced his disdain for the court's decision to suspend the travel ban from the seven countries. In is speech in Melbourne, Trump acknowledged the controversy: 

'We had a court that I disagree with. I disagree with big league — and by the way, whether you read it or whether you watch it on television when other lawyers come on, many of them can't even understand. They're saying how do you come up with that decision. It cannot be more simple. So they're ruling on what I just read you and they don't even quote it in their ruling because you can't because it's too obvious. So we will do something next week. I think you'll be impressed. Let's see what happens.

Here's the bottom line. We've got to keep our country safe. You look at what's happening. We've got to keep our country safe. You look at what's happening in Germany, you look at what's happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this. Sweden. They took in large numbers. They're having problems like they never thought possible. You look at what's happening in Brussels. You look at what's happening all over the world. Take a look at Nice. Take a look at Paris. We've allowed thousands and thousands of people into our country and there was no way to vet those people. There was no documentation. There was no nothing. So we're going to keep our country safe.

And we all have heart, by the way. And what I want to do is build safe zones in Syria and other places so they can stay there and live safely until their cities and their country, that mess that I was left by Obama and everybody else — folks, we were left a mess like you wouldn't believe, but we're going to build safe zones. We're going to have those safe zones.

We do owe $20 trillion. Okay. So we're going to have the gulf states pay for those safe zones. They've got nothing, but money. We're going to do it that way instead of taking massive numbers. Tens the of thousands of people into our country and we don't know anything about those people. We want people to come into our country, but we want people that love us. We want people that can cherish us and the traditions of our country. We want people that are going to be great for our country. We don't want people with bad, bad ideas. We don't want that.' 

Transcript from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  

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Trump took a trip to Florida after less than a month in office for what his staff has called a 'campaign rally'

A young child listens to President Donald Trump speak at his 'Make America Great Again Rally'

A young child listens to President Donald Trump speak at his 'Make America Great Again Rally'

President Trump and the first lady board Air Force One after the 'Make American Great Again Rally'

President Trump and the first lady board Air Force One after the 'Make American Great Again Rally'

Protesters stood outside the venue at Orlando Melbourne International Airport

Protesters stood outside the venue at Orlando Melbourne International Airport

Protesters held up signs in opposition to President Trump during his MAGA rally in Melbourne

Protesters held up signs in opposition to President Trump during his MAGA rally in Melbourne

The event had the familiar trappings of a Trump campaign rally, including red Trump caps, 'Make America Great Again' and 'Trump/Pence' signs and at least one sign reading 'Hillary for Prison.' 

Some of the speakers ahead of Trump's appearance called for repealing and replacing President Barack Obama's health care law, criticized the news media or lobbed barbs at Clinton, other constants of last year's rallies. 

President Trump currently has a low approval rating, especially for being less than a month into his presidency. 

The most recent Gallup poll showed he only has a 40 per cent approval.

He tweeted earlier: 'Will be having many meetings this weekend at The Southern White House. Big 5:00 P.M. speech in Melbourne, Florida. A lot to talk about!' 

Trump has spent the last week viciously attacking press coverage and went as far to call the 'fake' media 'the enemy of the American People.'

This was mostly a retaliation to his heavily criticized press conference this week.  

Florida Congressmen Matt Gaetz and Bill Posey spoke before Trump arrived. As expected, there was a heavy protester presence outside of the rally venue at Orlando Melbourne International Airport.

Trump took the swing state in the election by winning 48.6 per cent of the votes while Hillary Clinton won 47.4 per cent. 

MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE OF THE RALLY...

A coalition of activists staged a funeral for democracy

A coalition of activists staged a funeral for democracy

Though the 'Make America Great Again Rally' appeared to be a festive occasion celebrating a beloved president, outside the Melbourne airport hangar were a slew of protests against the commander-in-chief. 

Demonstrators showed up outside the hanger in Florida to protest President Trump, specifically his controversial immigrant ban. In the rally he told supporters he would continue to try to pass the order despite it being rejected by three courts.

In New York where there have been several protests a week since the inauguration, demonstrators held a 'Mock Funeral for Presidents’ Day' in Washington  Square Park.

Protesters wore funeral attire and sang: 'Amazing disgrace — how sick the sight / Such hateful lunacy / America must stand and fight / To save democracy.' 

The bleak affair was a wildly different feel from the festive rally where Trump bragged that his administration was running 'smoothly.'

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President Donald Trump followed by first lady Melania Trump walk up the steps the steps of Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach

President Donald Trump followed by first lady Melania Trump walk up the steps the steps of Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach

President Trump (pictured stepping off Air Force One in West Palm Beach) took the stage in Melbourne hours later

President Trump (pictured stepping off Air Force One in West Palm Beach) took the stage in Melbourne hours later

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