Trump rallies Miami-Dade in support of Marco Rubio and hints presidential run (includes video story)

Hundreds of Republican supporters swarmed former President Trump’s rally in Tamiami Park Sunday, backing incumbent Senator Marco Rubio’s re-election.

Two days before midterm elections, Trump and Rubio banded together to promote a “red wave” of Republican votes that U.S. Representative Carlos Gimenez insists will become a “red tsunami.” Their speeches described Miami-Dade County as a withering stronghold for the Democratic party, and the polls provide a glimpse of this change.

Senate polls show Marco Rubio ahead of his opponent Val Demings by 7.5 percent, 51 to 43.5 percent, according to RealClearPolitics.com.

Rubio’s confidence was reflected in his short speech, which did not mention Demings, but instead spoke about the need to vote in large numbers against Democrats.

“Now we have a choice in this country, we can turn out and vote,” said Rubio. “We have a solution and it is coming this Tuesday…[Democrats] just do not need to lose, they need to lose by a lot.”

Trump spoke after Rubio and called Demings a “radical left maniac,” adding, “you need Marco Rubio fighting for you the U.S. Senate.”

The former president is well-known for using the term “communism” in his speeches, primarily to Latino voters when delivering a political message. “This Tuesday you have to crush the communists at the ballot box,” he said. 

Then Rubio was called onto the stage by Trump.

“I want to speak specifically about so many who live here in South Florida,” he said. “[They] saw what socialism and communism and Marxism can do…this community will fight to save [The United States]. We’re going to see it on Tuesday.”

Incumbent Ron DeSantis was not at the rally. The Florida governor held his own rally in Tampa Sunday in his final push to rally Republican votes for his re-election campaign.

Trump leads DeSantis in 2024 Republican presidential nomination polls by 31.3 percent to 20.5 percent, according to RealClearPolitics.com

Surprisingly, Trump endorsed Governor DeSantis, in opening remarks to the crowd, while mentioning Rubio as well.

“Just two days from now, the people of Florida are going to re-elect the wonderful, the great friend of mine, Marco Rubio, to the United States Senate,” said Trump. “And you are going to re-elect Ron DeSantis as your next governor.”

After cheers from the audience, Trump hinted at a future presidential run. 

“In order to make our country successful, safe, and glorious I will probably have to do it again, but stay tuned,” said Trump. “In 2024, most importantly, we are going to take back that big, beautiful, magnificent White House.”

Alexandra Howard is a senior pursuing a dual degree in digital journalism and political science. She intends to later graduate from law school and become an immigration lawyer and political journalist.

Samuel Rodriguez Garcia is a senior at Florida International University. Samuel hopes to bring a little more light to the world with every interaction. After graduation he will pursue a career in film making.