Donald Trump praises rally attendee who struck protester in South Carolina

President Donald Trump praised a supporter who hit a heckler at a campaign rally at Clemson University in South Carolina on Wednesday night. According to The Guardian and the New York Post, multiple protesters were removed from the event after interrupting the president. The New York Post reported that at least two hecklers were assaulted on camera, while The Guardian reported that Trump was heckled at least nine times during the rally. [1][2][5][9]

The Guardian and the New York Post both report that Trump cheered the supporter who threw the punch from the stage. The New York Post reported that the supporter was a senior citizen, while The Guardian cited Trump comparing the attendee to former four-time heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, who attended the event. [1][2][7]

The event at the T. Ed Garrison Arena in Pendleton, South Carolina, was held to support Republican Senator Darline Graham ahead of the midterm elections, the Washington Examiner and AP News reported. South Carolina is the 23rd most populous state in the United States, with an estimated population of 5.5 million as of 2025. [4][5][6][10]

The visit to South Carolina forms part of a multi-state campaign tour aimed at helping Republicans keep control of Congress, as FTMQ News reported earlier. The campaign tour also includes scheduled stops in Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas. [14]