It wouldn't be the first time that GOP presidential candidate and real estate billionaire Donald Trump has hoisted children into his personal helicopter for rides at political rallies.
But on Saturday, Trump made it clear he didn't want just any children. They had to be "beautiful children," according to the Tampa Bay Times. The reality show star was holding a rally in Sarasota, Florida, and made his entrance from the chopper bearing his last name.
According to Times political editor, Adam C. Smith, Trump asked someone to find him six or seven beautiful children to take a spin in the aircraft. Trump said 6,000 people were present though Smith put the number at 2,000.
Regardless of what the correct number was, Trump said if it were a rally for any other candidate, there would only be "50, 75 people. They're going to fall asleep, go home."
Props for the event included an elephant that had the words "TRUMP Make America great again" painted on its side. According to Gawker, the elephant's owner has been arrested for animal cruelty.
During the rally, Trump addressed recent controversies surrounding his comments, including claims refuted by law enforcement that New Jersey Muslims celebrated when the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11, 2001. He also denied he made fun of a New York Times reporter with a physical disability.
After multiple incidents of violence at his political rallies, Trump had a heckler removed from the event "nicely."
"Be nice to the person. Don’t hurt the person,” he said, according to Reuters. “Do you see how diplomatic I’ve become?”
