Trump praises rally supporter who punched a protester in South Carolina

Protests disrupt the rally

Donald Trump spoke on Wednesday, 21 October, at a rally in South Carolina backing Senator Darline Graham in her Senate race. Hecklers interrupted him several times, and security staff escorted protesters out of the arena while part of the crowd chanted "USA". Reports differ on the count of interruptions: ANSA put it at at least five, while an account from accredited press cited by Ziare said at least nine. The venue held more than 4,000 spectators, according to ANSA.

The disruptions were not isolated. Protests have repeatedly broken out at Trump's events as he has stepped up campaign visits before the midterm elections on 3 November. The Clemson event came a day after a similar rally in North Carolina on Tuesday, 20 October, where hecklers also disrupted his speech.

The punch and Trump's reaction

The most serious incident came as Trump's remarks turned to immigration. Television cameras swung toward the crowd when a sudden uproar broke out, and police moved into one row, where an older man in a red cap and glasses was seen raising his hands and stepping back after appearing to strike a protester. Officers led that protester out of the rally.

Trump applauded the attendee and asked who had thrown the punch. He compared the man to former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, who was at the event and later joined Trump on stage to speak.

It takes courage to do that at a Trump rally.

Trump went on to warn that such conduct is dangerous.

They don't realize it's really dangerous to do that.

Television footage also showed a second case, in which a spectator physically attacked a young man who had already been led out by security staff.

Trump's attacks on critics

Trump dismissed the hecklers as paid protesters, saying they were paid $250 each to attend and disrupt events. He offered no evidence for the claim and said many of them had travelled from other parts of the country. Remarks about the hecklers' home lives drew laughter from his audience.

At the Clemson rally he again used a derogatory nickname for Democratic opponent Annie Andrews, a physician. ANSA reported that he had used the term before, drawing criticism that included from some Republicans. Trump accused Andrews of supporting a ban on the most common firearms in America and of backing taxpayer-funded gender surgery, calling her an extremist. Andrews has said in the past that she opposes gender-affirming surgery for minors and transgender athletes in women's sports competitions.

Campaign and polling backdrop

Darline Graham was chosen to take her brother's place after Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly in July from a heart condition. She now faces Andrews in the race for a full six-year term.

Trump's 32-day campaign tour has taken him mostly to Republican-leaning areas that he won easily in earlier elections. Ziare linked the schedule to the difficulties Republicans face in keeping control of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Monday, 19 October, found that 31% of Americans approve of Trump's job performance, the lowest figure recorded for the president.