CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump plans to tour Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 24, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.
The schedule, whose details are still being worked out, anticipates Trump flying into KSC's former space shuttle runway, touring the spaceport and talking with industry representatives in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast and Space Florida, the EDC confirmed.
“Since 2008, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast has led the way to educate presidential candidates regarding the need to support critical aerospace programs to keep the United States competitive and viable,” said Lynda Weatherman, organization's president and CEO. “We are pleased Mr. Trump has accepted our invitation to participate in this industry roundtable and are hopeful the Clinton campaign will follow suit.”
After the KSC tour, Trump may hold a public rally at another location, but that has not yet been confirmed. Campaigning is not allowed on federal property.
The visit would be Trump's second to the Space Coast in a month, following a Sept. 27 rally that drew 8,500 people to the AeroMod International aircraft hangar at Orlando Melbourne International Airport.
That event included no mention of the space program or Trump's space policy positions.
The EDC has extended similar invitations to congressional and presidential candidates, including Hillary Clinton, to attend aerospace briefings. Participants this year have included U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, the Republican and Democratic candidates, respectively, for a U.S. Senate seat representing Florida.
Past attendees have included then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. John McCain, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.