TAMPA, Fla. — President Donald Trump is wading into Florida's internal Republican politics, joining his endorsed candidate for governor in a competitive primary.
Trump held a rally in Tampa on Tuesday night in a show of support for U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who faces off against state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the Florida GOP primary Aug. 28.
Trump took the stage at the Florida State Fairgrounds shortly after 7 p.m. and spoke for more than an hour.
"He's tough, he's smart and he loves Florida and he loves our country and he's going to be your next governor -- Ron DeSantis," he said. "He's brilliant, a really smart cookie."
Trump also discussed the strong economy, among other things.
"The economy grew at 4.1 percent," he said.
The rally took place on the same day as the beginning of the trial of Paul Manafort, the former campaign chief for Trump's 2016 presidential election campaign.
The trial is the first in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Channel 9's Christopher Heath covered the rally. Follow him on Twitter for a behind-the-scenes look at the rally, and watch his full report on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
The Associated Press and USA Today contributed to this report.
Read: Election checklist: Who's running in Central Florida's big 2018 races
Full house here in Tampa for @realDonaldTrump
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) July 31, 2018
Expo seats 10,000(ish) and is full. pic.twitter.com/AphRxacuGN
During the @Acosta live shot. pic.twitter.com/qiaf6NrebD
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) July 31, 2018
“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth..... and, send” pic.twitter.com/L6VJX31uW7
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) July 31, 2018
Loud “boos” for @Acosta - but after his report on CNN, he spent :10 talking to the people who just finished yelling at him. pic.twitter.com/aeu4BBCiI4
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) July 31, 2018
I’ll be honest, I did not suspect this song. pic.twitter.com/fhldmuopXx
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) July 31, 2018
Arena filling up, people still waiting outside for 7p @realDonaldTrump event pic.twitter.com/Qp5P9ORQp1
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) July 31, 2018
Crowd starting to file in for @realDonaldTrump Tampa event.
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) July 31, 2018
(Bonus picture of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Mounted Posse) pic.twitter.com/qIxyppGSg8
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