Former President Donald Trump speaks to thousands gathered for Conway, SC event

Trump urges thousands at rally to vote in primary

Updated 4:23 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump ended his nearly 2 1/2 hour speech Saturday by urging those attending his rally to get out and vote in the upcoming Republican presidential primary on Feb. 24.

Trump spoke to thousands at Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center in Conway.

Most of the speech was Trump regaling his triumphs while in office and what he will do if re-elected this year. He also took shots at former South Carolina governor and presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

Early voting for the primary begins on Monday, Feb. 12.

Protesters removed from Trump rally

Updated 2:59 p.m.

Protesters were removed from Donald Trump’s Conway rally Saturday.

The crowd could be heard shouting as police escorted them out of the Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center.

‘South Carolina’ Trump growls at CCU crowd

Updated 2:41 p.m.

Trump took the stage Saturday to thousands of people shouting, “USA, USA, USA.”

“South Carolina!” Trump said to those at the HTC Center at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. The former president and presidential candidate was at CCU for a campaign rally.

It comes ahead of the Republican president primary Feb. 24 in the state.

“This November we’re going to win the White House and take back our country,” Trump told the crowd.

Trump greets overflow crowd outside at Conway presidential rally

Updated 1:49 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump appeared at CCU’s campus and greeted the thousands that were waiting outside for his arrival.

The crowd of thousands went wild.

The people were not able to get inside the HTC Center because it had already filled. The center holds 3,000.

It was estimated about 2,000 people were outside.

Trump arrives at CCU as thousands await outside

Updated 1:31 p.m.

There is standing-room only inside the HTC Center in advance of former President Donald Trump’s arrival.

There is an overflow area outside where thousands are waiting for Trump to arrive.

It has been announced that Trump has arrived at the CCU campus.

Donald Trump motorcade rolls through Myrtle Beach

Updated 1:20 p.m.

Coventry Parkway and Farrow Parkway in Myrtle Beach is now closed to traffic and supporters are gathered outside Emmens Preserve.

Former President Donald Trump’s motorcade just went through the intersection.

SC Governor McMaster quotes Spice Girls for Trump

Updated 12:48 p.m.

It was a musical speech for South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.

Not only did McMaster walk out on the stage Saturday to music from hard-rock band AC/DC, he also quoted the music girl group Spice Girls’ tune, “Wannabe,” by quoting the lyrics “I tell you what I want, what I really, really want,” when urging supporters to vote for Donald Trump.

He ended his speech by also quoting country music singer Tim McGraw as well.

SC representative Russell Fry speaks

Updated 12:33 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Russell Fry took the stage Saturday.

“It’s a lot warmer here than New Hampshire,” Fry said, referring to the recent primary election in the state.

“Is this Nikki Haley country? Or is this Donald Trump territory?” Fry asked the crowd, who responded with boos and cheers. Fry added that President Joe Biden heard the screams in his home.

CCU students dressed in black protest Trump rally

Updated at 12:17 p.m.

A group of students dressed in black have assembled across Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center to protest the rally.

Kaci Dozier, a senior at CCU, said the group is protesting the university not giving students advanced notice of the rally, which could risk the safety of students living on campus.

“Freshmen are locked in their dorms because they’re terrified of all the unidentified (people here),” Dozier said.

Dozier added that she does not live on campus.

Trump’s doppelganger spotted at rally

Updated 11:49 a.m.

It appears that seats may have filed up inside for the rally as people are now standing.

However, those that did get seats are making the most out of their opportunity to hear Trump speak, including David Sandifer, who appeared as Trump’s doppelganger.

Sandifer said he likes to dress up as Trump for rallies and hosts some of his own in the area.

Bikers show up to support Trump

Updated 11:44 a.m.

Rich Taylor, a Myrtle Beach motorcyclist who arrived on a motorcycle and owns three Harley Davidsons, said he and his four other biker friends were in Conway to support Trump because he makes them feel good.

Don’t have tickets to see Donald Trump? Here’s how to watch him

Updated 11:30 a.m.

If you were hoping to see former president Donald Trump speak in Conway Saturday but don’t have the time or energy to attend the rally, don’t worry — you can still watch his speech online. Trump will speak at 2 p.m.

Here is where you can watch the presidential candidate’s rally.

Santa, college students among those supporting Trump

Updated 10:53 a.m.

Several people attending the rally have offered up why they are there.

Myrtle Beach resident Billy Hinson, driving a pickup truck with a Trump flag and a South Carolina flag, said he’s at the Conway rally to listen to Trump’s voice.

“I think (Trump is) the best thing since ice cream,” Hinson said.

CCU students near the front of the line of people waiting to get in said that they’ve been at the campus since 4 a.m. “It’s an opportunity to go to a Trump rally. I wasn’t old enough to vote in 2020. I’m a young conservative and stand with President Trump on the issues,” Matthew Wisniewski , 20, from Maryland.

Vendors selling Trump merchandise also are on campus.

Nikki Haley campaign to roll out mobile billboard near Trump rally

Updated 10:47 a.m.

Nikki Haley’s campaign on Saturday is planning to parade a mobile billboard around the Myrtle Beach area, including by Donald Trumps rally in Conway, attacking Trump’s age, according to Politico.

The campaign will play a video featuring clips of Trump, 77, and President Joe Biden, 81, trailing off and otherwise appearing confused, the article said.

Conway is where the former president will appear for the first time this year in South Carolina ahead of the state’s Feb. 24 GOP presidential primary.

Line of Trump supporters grows for rally

Updated 10:30 a.m.

More than three hours before Trump is scheduled to make his appearance, the line of people waiting to get inside extends all around Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center, wrapped around a nearby practice field and out along the sidewalk of Chanticleer Drive past the TD Sports Complex.

The scene is described as similar to a tailgate party on a football game day.

The arena is filling up quickly as the doors have been opened for those waiting to get in.

The Sun News will be updating its video coverage live on Instagram.

Comedy Central comedian seen at rally

Updated 10:06 a.m.

Comedian and Comedy Central correspondent Jordan Klepper was seen at the Donald Trump rally in Conway Saturday morning.

Klepper is known for going to Trump rallies and interviewing people about various topics concerning Trump and politics. His interviews appear on Comedy Central.

Doors open early for rally

Updated 10 a.m.

Donald Trump organizers prepare to open doors early for those waiting to get inside. The doors will open at 10 a.m.

A large crowd has already gathered and parking along Chanticleer Drive is filled up. People are having to park further away as parking officials are making drivers move along.

Horry Police warn of traffic delays

Updated 8:37 a.m.

Horry County Police has issued a traffic advisory for Donald Trump’s visit. Trump will be at Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center to speak at 2 p.m. However, doors open at 11 a.m.

Police are advising drivers to be aware of potential traffic disruptions near the college campus in Conway, which may include U.S. 501 and Highway 544.

Trump supporters spend night on university campus

Updated 8:27 a.m.

Hundreds of supporters, many who spent the night on Coastal Carolina University’s campus, have gathered outside the gate in barricaded lines. The supporters are chanting and holding signs ahead of Donald Trump’s arrival today at the HTC Center.

Prepare for Trump’s event today: Where to park, what to bring

The parking lots surrounds the HTC building will not be available as Founders Drive between Chanticleer Drive and Highway 544 will be closed. The GG and KK lots will be open along with other parking lots around campus.

It would be smart to pack a meal or bring snacks. Doors open at 11 a.m. and Trump is supposed to begin speaking at 2 p.m. If you arrive early, you could be at the rally for over four hours, and that doesn’t include the time it takes dealing with traffic before and after the event.

The Secret Service has a long list of banned items, which includes large backpacks, firearms, glass, thermal or metal containers, coolers and selfie sticks. To enter the building, you will need to go through security. Security teams will search your bag before you enter and put you through a metal detector.

Trump visit to bring traffic delays. What roads to avoid for Myrtle Beach, SC area rally

Drivers can expect lane closures and traffic delays during the time Trump will be in the area. Also, Trump’s rallies generally draw large crowds, increasing traffic along U.S. 501 and Highway 544 near the college.

Trump will mostly likely fly into Myrtle Beach International Airport before traveling by motorcade on U.S. 17 to CCU along U.S. 501. It is about an 11 mile trip from the airport to the university.

In addition, Highway 544 could be affected as the HTC Center is located on the back side of the college campus, near the busy highway.

President Donald Trump was in Conway in 2018

President Donald Trump’s motorcade arrives in Conway, S.C., on Sept. 19, 2018, during Trump’s visit to North Carolina and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.