Trump Rally Tonight in Clemson: Holyfield Joins, Speech at 7

Updated 01:21 UTC, Oct 22

President Trump's speech in Pendleton was interrupted again and again by protesters on Wednesday night, and at least two hecklers were hit by supporters in the crowd, on camera. One protester stood up near the stage and an older supporter punched him before sheriff's deputies took the protester away. Trump praised the man from the stage. "Who's the guy that threw the punch? You are!" he said, adding that the supporter reminded him of Evander Holyfield, the former heavyweight champion who was at the rally. "He got whacked," Trump said of the protester, and he said it takes courage to heckle at a Trump rally.

An earlier heckler, a man in a suit and tie, was smacked on the head by another older man as he was led out, the New York Post reported. It was not clear whether either man who threw a punch was arrested. Reuters reported that protesters interrupted Trump multiple times, that the crowd chanted "USA" as security guards escorted the protesters out, and that Trump cast the demonstrators as paid protesters, a claim he made without evidence. The Post counted at least 12 hecklers in all, while live coverage counted at least six interruptions in the first 20 minutes. Between the interruptions, Trump urged supporters to vote in the November 3 midterms as if he himself were on the ballot, and he repeated his pledge of $5,000 checks if Republicans keep control of Congress.

President Donald Trump speaks tonight in Pendleton, South Carolina, at a midterm rally for Senator Darline Graham. Doors at the T. Ed Garrison Arena open at 3:30 p.m. ET, the program starts at 5:30 p.m., and Trump is expected to speak at about 7 p.m. ET. Supporters began lining up hours before the doors opened.

Who he is campaigning for

Graham holds the Senate seat once held by her brother, Lindsey Graham. She was appointed to the job after his death in June, and Trump backed her appointment and then supported her in a special primary against more experienced Republican opponents. She now faces Charleston Democrat Annie Andrews in the November 3 general election, less than two weeks away. Polls have shown Graham ahead by several percentage points.

Andrews was in Union on Tuesday, telling about 60 supporters at New Chapel AME Church that lowering costs would be her first, second and third priorities. She said she expects attacks from Trump tonight, called herself a pragmatic problem solver, a pediatrician and a mom, and said she is willing to work with anyone, including the president.

Holyfield flies in with Trump

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, 64, is flying to South Carolina with Trump on Wednesday afternoon, the New York Post reported. Holyfield, born in Alabama and raised in Georgia, is best known for his two wins over Mike Tyson. Trump and his son Don Jr. were guest commentators in 2021 for Holyfield's comeback bout against Vitor Belfort, which Holyfield lost.

The venue, tickets and the other side

The T. Ed Garrison Arena, at 1101 West Queen Street in Pendleton on the Clemson University campus, is a livestock arena with a dirt floor and seating for about 3,000 people. Trump spoke there in 2016. Tickets are free with an online RSVP, up to four per signup. Clemson said it is not sponsoring the event and the campaign pays the costs.

Not everyone on campus welcomes the visit. The Clemson University NAACP chapter condemned it in an October 19 statement, and Democratic students planned a protest ahead of the speech.

Early voting in South Carolina runs from October 19 to October 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with polls closed on October 25. This is Trump's second South Carolina trip of the year for Graham, after an August visit to Myrtle Beach.