Trump Holds Massive Campaign Rally in South Carolina Ahead of July 4th

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On a scorching day before the July 4th holiday, former President Donald Trump made a triumphant return to the grand-scale rallies reminiscent of his previous presidential campaigns. Speaking to a multitude of enthusiastic supporters gathered in the streets of a small South Carolina city, Trump expressed his gratitude for the fervent South Carolina patriots who believe in God, family, and country.

Amidst soaring temperatures in the 90s, Trump confidently addressed the roaring crowd, standing on the asphalt of Main St. in downtown Pickens. Although the exact number of attendees was not immediately clear, law enforcement officials estimated that approximately 15,000 people had congregated by 11 a.m., two hours before Trump’s remarks.

The conservative Upstate region of South Carolina, with its strong Republican presence, has become a popular destination for GOP candidates vying for support in the state’s first-in-the-South presidential primary. Notable figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Governor Nikki Haley, and Senator Tim Scott have all held events in the Upstate in recent months. However, none were able to amass a crowd as significant as Trump, whose appearance essentially brought Pickens’ quintessential southern downtown to a standstill.

In contrast to his previous campaigns in 2016 and 2020 that drew massive crowds across the country, Trump’s 2024 effort has exhibited distinct differences. Instead of addressing voters in large venues like gymnasiums or airplane hangars, Trump kicked off his South Carolina campaign earlier this year by holding an invitation-only event inside the Statehouse in Columbia, where he introduced his state leadership team. In other states, the former president has focused on smaller events such as speeches before state party organizations, aiming to strengthen his standing with delegates and local officials.

The recent rally in Pickens marked only the second large-scale event of Trump’s 2024 campaign. In March, he held a rally in Waco, Texas, where he criticized the prosecutors investigating him on hush-money charges, for which he was later indicted, while confidently predicting his vindication. However, a planned outdoor rally in Iowa in May had to be canceled due to tornado warnings.

These rallies come with a significant price tag, but Trump has managed to continue raising millions in fundraising, despite facing both a New York indictment and federal charges related to the retention of classified documents after leaving the White House. Senior Trump aide Chris LaCivita revealed on the conservative Ruthless podcast last month that these rallies cost approximately half a million dollars each.

To showcase his enduring appeal among supporters amidst numerous legal challenges, Trump’s campaign has also made unannounced stops at restaurants, including a celebrated Philadelphia cheesesteak eatery and a famous Cuban restaurant in Miami. Meanwhile, polls consistently show Trump with a substantial lead over his rivals in the broad GOP field, even though his campaign schedule is less robust than many of his competitors’. He has also been active in giving media interviews and participating in multi-candidate events during the primary season, such as the recent Moms for Liberty gathering in Philadelphia.

Despite Trump’s reduced campaign activities, the opportunity to witness the former president in person drew thousands of attendees from across the Southeast to the rally in Pickens. Supporters began lining up the night before, with some traveling from as far as Florida. Greg Pressley and his wife, Robin, drove over three hours from eastern Tennessee, demonstrating their unwavering support for the candidate they have backed since his first run in 2016.

“I love his policies. I love the man. I’m here to support him getting back to where he needs to be, to begin with,” expressed Greg Pressley, asserting that Donald Trump is the greatest president in history.

Shelley Fox of Spartanburg, a loyal supporter of Trump since his entry into the 2016 race, shared her unwavering allegiance. When asked about considering other candidates for the upcoming election, she adamantly stated, “I’d write him in. No question.”

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For more information, contact Meg Kinnard at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

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