![\"Byron](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/6902b123-c130-409e-99d7-2044e373457a.jpeg\" "\\"Byron")
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Byron Donalds speaks at his kickoff party for governor at the Sugarshack in Bonita Springs on Friday, March 28, 2025.<\/p>\n
Andrew West\/The News-Press\/USA T<\/p>\n
USA TODAY Network, Reuters<\/p>\n
Plans are beginning to take shape for President Donald Trump’s visit to Fort Myers.<\/p>\n
Trump will appear at a midterm rally in Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 23. Alico Arena on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University was confirmed as the venue over the Oct. 17-18 weekend. The news of Trump’s visit to Southwest Florida has drawn reactions from local parties and candidates and sparked plans for counter protests.<\/p>\n
Here’s information on when, where and how to see Trump during his visit to Fort Myers.<\/p>\n
Trump rally venue in Fort Myers still unknown<\/p>\n
A location was not initially announced, but Alico Arena was later confirmed on the Republican National Committee’s website. <\/p>\n
In Estero, Alico Arena on Florida Gulf Coast University’s campus holds holds 4,633 people, including 300 standing-only, the university’s website reports, and is home to the Eagles volleyball and basketball teams.<\/p>\n
FGCU announced Friday, Oct. 16, that it will modify campus operations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 23, the day of Trump’s rally, because of a “large-scale, private event” at Alico Arena expected to significantly affect traffic and parking across campus. <\/p>\n
Parking garages and lots near the arena will be closed, some activities will be rescheduled and the university warned of delays on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and FGCU Lake Parkway North.<\/p>\n
When asked whether Trump is scheduled to appear at Alico Arena, FGCU spokesperson Pam McCabe said, “That is not something I can confirm.” In a follow-up statement, she said the university could not discuss details about the private event, its purpose or who is invited.<\/p>\n
Trump’s past visits have been housed at other Southwest Florida venues.<\/p>\n
Trump previously held rallies at Hertz Arena in Estero in 2016 and 2018 while supporting other GOP candidates, now-Gov. Ron DeSantis and then-Gov. Rick Scott for Congress.<\/p>\n
“We have not been contacted by the Trump camp and any other political party for any kind of rally,” said Scott Bryant, president and chief financial officer for the Hertz Arena in Estero. <\/p>\n
The Florida Everblades, the hockey team that calls the arena home, has a game scheduled that evening.<\/p>\n
The Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers has hosted Trump events before, once in 2020 for an invitation-only presidential address regarding senior healthcare and again in 2023 for a Republican Party dinner.<\/p>\n
How will Trump arrive in Southwest Florida?<\/p>\n
The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet issued a Temporary Flight Restriction for the visit.<\/p>\n
During previous Southwest Florida appearances, Trump arrived through Southwest Florida International Airport and used the PrivateSky Aviation terminal. Officials at Naples Airport said they have not been contacted regarding the planned visit.<\/p>\n
Why is Trump stopping in Fort Myers before Election Day?<\/p>\n
Trump’s visit comes at a pivotal time in Florida’s election season. Vote-by-mail ballots are already in voters’ hands, and early voting starts Monday, Oct. 19.<\/p>\n
The rally will take place in Fort Myers, which is within gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds’ 19th Congressional District. Trump was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Donalds’ gubernatorial bid, publicly urging the Naples congressman to run before Donalds formally announced his candidacy. Some pundits are predicting a tight race between Donalds, who lives in Naples, and Democrat David Jolly.<\/p>\n
With less than three weeks to go before the Nov. 3 election, Collier GOP Chairman John Meo applauds the timing. “It’s great for Byron,” he said.<\/p>\n
Republican congressional candidate Jim Schwartzel, who is running to succeed Donalds in Congress, told The News-Press & Naples Daily News he plans to attend Trump’s rally.<\/p>\n
Florida voters will also decide several other high-profile races this year, including the U.S. Senate contest between incumbent Ashley Moody and Democratic challenger Angie Nixon. <\/p>\n
Another important race to be decided is newly redrawn U.S. Congressional District 22, where Naples Republican Casey Askar, who Trump endorsed, and Palm Beach Gardens Democrat Pia Dandiya are vying for the seat. The new district’s territory includes much of Collier County, all of Hendry County and parts of inland Broward and Palm Beach counties.<\/p>\n
Florida 81 Rep. Yvette Benarroch “thrilled” about Trump visit<\/p>\n
Republican State Rep. Yvette Benarroch, who is seeking re-election in House seat 81, said she can’t confirm her attendance yet and doesn’t know the location, but said she is excited about Trump’s visit.<\/p>\n
“I’m thrilled President Trump is coming to Southwest Florida to rally for Byron Donalds and Republicans up and down the ballot,” said Benarroch in a text message to the Naples Daily News. The Marco Island resident faces newcomer Kim Finer, a Democrat in her Nov. 3.<\/p>\n
“I’ve supported Byron from day one, and I believe he will be our next Governor,” Benarroch said. “He’s one of our own here in Southwest Florida. He knows the challenges our families face, and he’ll fight for them every single day.<\/p>\n
Local parties respond to Trump visit, some with plans to protest<\/p>\n
The Lee County GOP shared that the national party had contacted the local chapter Friday afternoon asking for volunteers for Trump’s rally.<\/p>\n
Local Democrats said they are organizing visibility events and voter outreach efforts. They said they’ve seen increased interest from independent and no-party-affiliation voters ahead of the election.<\/p>\n
“And we’re even getting some calls from Republicans. Not a lot, but we don’t need a lot. We’ll take whatever we can get. And they’re calling up to just basically let us know that they’re beyond the point where they can hold their breath and vote for a Trump supporter. And so they’re going to vote Democratic instead,” said Jim Rosinus, chairman of the Democratic Party of Lee County.<\/p>\n
“The more we can cross the aisles with them, or we can bridge the party divide, the better off we’re all going to be. It can’t be this civil war demonizing the other side all the time,” he said. “There are issues in the community, there are issues in the state, there are issues in the nation that need to be addressed, and neither side can address it all by themselves. We all want to pull together on this.”<\/p>\n
He mentioned upcoming “No Kings” protests happening Saturday, Oct. 17, along U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, as well as at Interstate 75 Estero Parkway Overpass Bridge.<\/p>\n
Local groups including Indivisible Gambit, SWFL Red Manatees and SWFL Coalition for Democracy organized a counter-protest the same day as the rally, with calls to “dump Trump” and “ditch MAGA.” Organizers said those interested in protesting are invited to gather along Ben Hill Griffin Parkway outside FGCU at 1 p.m. and that there will be shuttles to assist with parking and logistics.<\/p>\n
How to get a ticket to hear the president<\/p>\n
Only people who’ve RSVPed will be able to attend and space is limited, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Caroline Courtney wrote in an email. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., the program begins at 12:30 p.m. and remarks are scheduled for 2 p.m. Four tickets are available for each signup. Information and registration can be found on the national GOP site.<\/p>\n
Do you have an opinion about this topic? Write a letter to the editor and send it to letters@naplesnews.com and\/or mailbag@news-press.com. Keep it to 250 words or fewer and include your contact info. Have more to say: Send a guest column of no more than 600 words. <\/p>\n
Amy Bennett Williams is a senior reporter. Reach her at awilliams@news-press.com. With reporting by J. Kyle Foster, senior growth and development reporter. Reach her at jfoster1@usatodayco.com. Mickenzie Hannon is a watchdog reporter. Reach her at mhannon@gannett.com. <\/p>\n
Breaking News and Visuals Editor Stacey Henson also contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
Follow The News-Press & Naples Daily News throughout the Election 2026 campaign season, including Q&As with candidates running in key Southwest Florida races. <\/p>\n
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.<\/p>\n
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Donald Trump will hold rally in Fort Myers. When and where to see him<\/p>\n
Reporting by Mickenzie Hannon and Amy Bennett Williams, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News \/ Fort Myers News-Press<\/p>\n
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
This story was originally published October 19, 2026 at 8:06 AM.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Byron Donalds speaks at his kickoff party for governor at the Sugarshack in Bonita Springs on Friday, March…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":432019,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-432018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=432018"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432018\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/432019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=432018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=432018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=432018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}