Trump says South Carolina has been ‘so incredible’ at Coastal Carolina rally

CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — With two weeks to go before South Carolina’s GOP primary, former president Donald Trump sits with a commanding lead over rival Nikki Haley.

But that didn’t stop Trump from urging supporters to show out in force on Feb. 24.

“We want to send a signal for November,” Trump said during a 90-minute campaign speech Saturday at Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center. “Fourteen days from now, each and every one of you is going to get out and vote a deliver a gigantic win in South Carolina and in November we’re going to win the White House and we’re going to take back our country.”

As of Saturday, Trump holds nearly a 32-point lead over Haley among likely GOP primary voters — 62.5 percent to 30.6 percent.

Trump has also pulled in endorsements from virtually every statewide elected official, including U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott and Gov. Henry McMaster. Scott’s name is rumored to be on Trump’s short list for vice president.

“This state has been so incredible. We love this state, with thousands of hardworking, God fearing American patriots,” Trump said.

He walked on stage to signs that read “Welcome Home President Trump” and “SC Trump Country.”

His Palmetto State arrival comes a week after former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley held a campaign event of her own at CCU.

The Memo: Trump tightens hold on GOP

As of Saturday, Trump holds nearly a 32-point lead over Haley among likely GOP primary voters — 62.5 percent to 30.6 percent.

Trump focused a large portion of his time railing against President Joe Biden’s health, a porous border, raging wars in Israel and Ukraine and rising inflation.

“What crooked Joe is doing to our border is a crime against this nation, but we’re not going to allow these horrible offenses to take place. He’s going to be tried by the ballot box in November,” Trump said.

Strengthened by dominating victories in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, Trump said if voters send him back to the White House he’d launch the “largest domestic deportation program in U.S. history,” promote offshore drilling and make it more difficult for people to file lawsuits against police officers.

“Four years ago we had a great nation, and now we have a nation that’s being laughed at,” he said in brief remarks to supports outside the HTC Center.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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