Former President Donald Trump was greeted by a huge crowd at a rally in South Carolina on Saturday, with two weeks to go before the state’s Republican primaries.
Trump has shifted his campaign focus to southern states after an easy victory in Nevada and boosted support at a rally in Conway, near Myrtle Beach.
In a rally speech, Trump insulted Nikki Haley by using his derisive nickname for her, “Birdbrain,” and heaped praise on Governor Henry McMaster, who supported him early on.
The 77-year-old addressed a huge crowd outside the venue as he looks to close down Haley’s chances and focus his full attention on an expected rematch with incumbent President Joe Biden.
Haley opted to skip the Nevada caucuses, condemning the contest as rigged for Trump, and focused on her home state of South Carolina.
Former President Donald Trump arrives on stage during a Get Out The Vote rally at Coastal Carolina University on February 10, 2024 in Conway, South Carolina
Trump addressed a huge overflow crowd outside the venue as he looks to close Haley’s chances and focus his attention squarely on an expected rematch with incumbent President Joe Biden.
In Conway, people began lining up to see Trump hours before the arena doors opened.
Aerial photos show large lines of people waiting outside to catch a glimpse of the former president.
Organizers expecting a large crowd set up screens outside where an overflow crowd could watch Trump’s performance.
Footage later emerged on social media of Trump addressing the crowd as hundreds of his supporters gathered outside to cheer him on.
The city sits along one of the most reliably conservative spots in the state and a central area of Trump’s support base in the state during his previous campaigns.
Tim Carter, of nearby Murrells Inlet, said he had supported Trump since 2016 and would do so again this year.
Carter, a pastor and military veteran, said, “We are here to stand up for Trump, improve our economy, close our borders and create more jobs for our people.
Cheryl Savage, who supported Haley in her first bid for governor, said the former president is “here to help us.”
Speaking of Trump, Savage said, “He deserves a second term. He did a fantastic job for four years.”
Saturday’s visit is Trump’s first to the state in 77 days, and there are plans to host more campaign events in the state in the final weeks before the primaries.
Trump arrives on stage during a Get Out The Vote rally at Coastal Carolina University on February 10, 2024 in Conway, South Carolina
In Conway, people began lining up to see Trump hours before the arena doors opened
Nikki Haley attends a campaign event at the Newberry Opera House in Newberry, South Carolina, USA, February 10, 2024
An adviser to Trump said this CNN that while the campaign is taking a more relaxed stance on the South Carolina contest, they are not taking it for granted.
The senior official said: “Ultimately, we cannot take any state for granted. But we see this as a done deal.”
Haley has stepped up her attacks on Trump, taking shots at his age in particular.
Her campaign said they would parade a mobile billboard through the Myrtle Beach area and stop by his rally in Conway.
According to Politicsthe campaign will feature clips of Trump and Biden lagging and appearing confused during recent public remarks.
The issue of a candidate’s age has been a hallmark of the ongoing presidential campaign, recently gaining significance after a report Thursday examined Biden’s handling of classified documents.
Even though no charges were warranted, the report painted a damaging picture of Biden’s mental capabilities.