Republican front-runner Donald Trump told a record-breaking crowd at University of South Florida Friday that he wants to strengthen our military, our borders and the economy.

The crowd liked everything they heard.

Thousands of people lined up for hours to see Trump before the doors opened at 5 p.m. Trump appear just after 7:30 p.m. to a rock star welcome.


A huge crowd is in place for Donald Trump's rally at the USF Sundome in Tampa Friday. (Wayne Acosta, Viewer)

It didn't take long for Trump to start laying into his political opponents, from Jeb Bush to even rising Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, who Trump called a Communist.

Nearly 11,000 people attended the rally at the USF Sundome Friday night, which officials said was an attendance record.

Trump's visit indicates how serious the New York real estate billionaire is taking the March 15 Florida primary. Florida is a winner-take-all state in the election cycle, meaning a top showing here would be worth all of the state's 99 delegates.

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Trump knows that and he also knows Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio will have a bigger voter draw in Florida than they did in other states.

Trump supporter and political pundit Tony Dimatteo said today's event could solidify Trump in a key part of Florida.

"He’s going to have more earned media," Dimatteo said. "And people just got out (of the race): Christie just got out. Fiorina just got out. Those votes have to go somewhere – and if they are undecided, this rally could be a determining factor."

Thousands of supporters filled the Sundome for the event - as well as hundreds of protestors. Word of detractors planning to show up outside the Sun Dome has been spreading this week on social media.

One student group even drafted a letter to the University asking the event be cancelled because of Trumps' remarks about women, Muslims and Latinos.