Last updated on August 18th, 2023 at 07:23 am
Former President Donald Trump delivered a speech on Saturday evening at the South Carolina Republican Party Silver Elephant Gala in Columbia, wrapping up a week that has been defined by his historic third indictment.
Trump’s visit to the early-primary state of South Carolina follows a Friday night stop in Alabama, marking his first campaign events after his arraignment in Washington, DC. Special prosecutor Jack Smith is investigating Trump’s efforts to remain in the White House despite losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden.
Despite the legal challenges, Trump remains assertive in his political stance, stating that if elected in 2024, he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate President Biden’s family. This will be Trump’s third political-related visit to the state, with his most recent visit happening in Pickens.
Trump Speaks at South Carolina GOP Silver Elephant Gala in Columbia, South Carolina:
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Live Stream: Watch Below
Live Stream – Trump Speaks at South Carolina GOP Dinner (Aug. 5):
Alternate Stream Links: RSBNetwork.tv, Newsmax
Trump’s Strong Position in South Carolina:
Former President Trump’s popularity in South Carolina remains formidable. In the 2016 South Carolina Republican primary, he secured a victory by a substantial margin of 10 points. As the state is an early primary state, Trump’s consistent support here could play a crucial role in shaping the GOP nomination race for the 2024 presidential election.
Implications of Trump’s Visit:
Trump’s appearance at the Silver Elephant Gala holds significance for the GOP nomination race in 2024. Recent polling data from Fox Business indicates that Trump has a commanding 34-point lead in the Palmetto State, with over half of likely Republican primary voters believing he is the candidate most likely to defeat President Biden. Among those who say they will definitely vote in the February 24 primary, Trump’s support is even higher at 51%. In contrast, other potential GOP candidates like former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott are lagging far behind, failing to reach double-digit support.
Trump’s Remarks on His Legal Situation and Biden’s Family:
During his campaign events, Trump made strong statements regarding his legal situation and President Biden’s family. He expressed his belief that the indictment against him was politically motivated, saying, “When they indicted their political opponent and they did that, I said, well, now the gloves are off. The Republicans better get tough, and they better get smart, because most of them look like a bunch of weak jerks right now. … You have to fight fire with fire. You can’t allow this to go on.”
Former President Donald Trump’s keynote speech at the South Carolina GOP’s 56th Annual Silver Elephant Gala carries significant implications for the GOP nomination race in 2024. As he wraps up a week filled with legal drama, Trump remains determined to maintain his political presence and remains a formidable force within the Republican Party.