Trump Heads to Florida Stronghold in First Public Event Since Foiled Attack
Source: US News & World Report/Reuters
May 1, 2026, at 6:07 a.m.
THE VILLAGES, Florida, May 1 (Reuters) - 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 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, when, at his urging, a mob of supporters ransacked the U.S. Capitol after he lost his reelection bid.
Economic issues continue to plague Trump's second term. The average U.S. gasoline price rose to its highest level in nearly four years this week as the U.S.'s naval blockade of Iran continues with no end in sight. Inflation in March also grew at its highest clip in three years, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday.
"The American people have made it very clear that they're very concerned about affordability issues, and I think the president is right that he does not bear sole responsibility for the fact that people are feeling sour about how expensive everything is," said Michael Strain, an economist at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute. "But he, I think, does bear responsibility for not responding to the concerns of voters with a policy agenda that could plausibly address those concerns."
Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-05-01/trump-heads-to-florida-stronghold-in-first-public-event-since-foiled-attack
twodogsbarking
(19,167 posts)SergeStorms
(20,736 posts)at his shitty Doral CC this weekend too. I thought the PGA had a moratorium on having tournaments at his golf courses while he was president, but apparently not.
You know he's going to push his ugly mug right into every camera available to tell everyone how great he is.
Guess who holds the course record at Doral?
Traildogbob
(13,126 posts)His Ball Room Florida could come to DC and baby would be safe. And make money from their visit, with cheese berders for em all. At $100,000 per berder. (Cold).
William Seger
(12,521 posts)What about the vast majority of our situation that IS his sole and direct responsibility, "right-leaning American Enterprise Institute?"
"But he, I think, does bear responsibility for not responding to the concerns of voters with a policy agenda that could plausibly address those concerns."
...AND for causing MOST of it in the first place, dumbass! The "right-leaning American Enterprise Institute" doesn't want that reflecting on "right-leaning" economic policies, which always favor the already well-off wealth hoarders. But now, they're concerned about political pushback? Huh.
mcar
(46,238 posts)liberalgunwilltravel
(1,234 posts)Why isn't Florida coming to him? We were told he has to have his ballsroom because he can't leave the White House.