Big crowds early as The Villages prepares to welcome President Trump

Kim Peterson was in line at 3 p.m. on April 30 in an anticipation of President Donald Trump's visit to Middleton High School on May 1, 2026, in The Villages. s

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida. Some people lined up at 3 p.m. on April 30, a full 24 hours before the scheduled rally.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Greg Reed, right, and Andra Griffen perform "YMCA" before President Donald Trump speaks at Middleton High School in The Villages on May 1, 2026.

Greg Reed, right, and Andra Griffen perform "YMCA" before President Donald Trump speaks at Middleton High School in The Villages on May 1, 2026.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

High school students from The Villages got the day off and came out early before President Donald Trump speaks at Middleton High School on May 1, 2026.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wait in line ahead of his planned appearance on May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida.

Thousands moved through security hoping to secure a seat before Donald Trump speaks Friday, May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida. Trump supporters began arriving Thursday afternoon and spent the night outside the school.

Thousands moved through security hoping to secure a seat before Donald Trump speaks Friday, May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida. Trump supporters began arriving Thursday afternoon and spent the night outside the school.

Thousands moved through security hoping to secure a seat before Donald Trump speaks Friday, May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida. Trump supporters began arriving Thursday afternoon and spent the night outside the school.

Thousands moved through security hoping to secure a seat before Donald Trump speaks Friday, May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida. Trump supporters began arriving Thursday afternoon and spent the night outside the school.

Thousands moved through security hoping to secure a seat before Donald Trump speaks Friday, May 1, 2026, at Middleton High School in The Villages, Florida. Trump supporters began arriving Thursday afternoon and spent the night outside the school.