Columbia, S.C. – Former President Donald J. Trump is set to make an appearance in South Carolina, where he will be the keynote speaker at the South Carolina Republican Party’s Silver Elephant Gala.
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia.
According to party officials, Trump’s visit to South Carolina comes amid his recent endorsement by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, and he is currently leading by a wide margin in most polls. The Silver Elephant Dinner, a longstanding tradition in South Carolina politics, will mark the 56th year of the event, which has been a significant platform for prominent Republican figures over the years.
Live coverage is expected to begin at 5 pm ET from RSBN with Trump expected to speak sometime later in the evening. Alternate Stream Links: RSBNetwork.tv, Newsmax
GOP’s Silver Elephant Gala History:
“This really couldn’t come at a better time for the people of South Carolina to show that they know Donald Trump has been an honest individual,” said Wilson, a long-time attendee of the Silver Elephant Dinner since its inception in 1967, with former President Ronald Reagan as the first keynote speaker.
The South Carolina Republican Party is eagerly anticipating Trump’s appearance and sees it as an opportunity to raise the profile of the state and interact with the GOP frontrunner for the 2024 presidential nomination. Being a Super Tuesday state, South Carolina’s role in the selection of the party’s nominee is deemed crucial.
Despite Trump’s upcoming court appearance in Washington, D.C., on August 3, where he faces allegations he has derided as a political attack, he has found solace in South Carolina’s friendly crowd and unwavering support.
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a Lexington County Republican who has already endorsed Trump in the GOP primary, expressed confidence in Trump’s warm reception, considering it to be the former president’s third visit to the state this year.
In the South Carolina Republican primary selection field, a July Fox Business poll shows Trump holding a commanding lead among respondents, securing 48 percent of the vote. In contrast, other contenders like DeSantis, former Gov. Nikki Haley, and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott stand at about 12 percent support.
Nationally, Trump’s popularity remains robust, with a significant lead over his nearest challenger, DeSantis, by 37 percentage points, as revealed by the first New York Times/Siena College poll of the 2024 campaign.
“This is an amazing opportunity to host the frontrunner for the GOP nomination and give Alabamians the chance to hear from President Trump directly about his vision for our nation,” said ALGOP Chairman Wahl, emphasizing the significance of the event.
The South Carolina Republican Party’s Silver Elephant Dinner, graced by Donald Trump’s presence, promises to be a pivotal occasion in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election cycle.