Former President Donald Trump attended a college football game between Clemson and South Carolina on Saturday, where he received a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd.
Trump’s surprise visit to South Carolina
Trump’s visit to the game at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia was not announced in advance, but he confirmed his attendance in a statement on Friday night. He said he was looking forward to seeing “two great teams” and “millions of wonderful people”.
Trump arrived at the stadium shortly before kickoff, accompanied by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and former Governor Henry McMaster, both of whom are his allies. He waved to the fans from a suite and gave a thumbs-up sign. Some of the fans cheered and chanted “USA, USA”, while others booed and jeered. A billboard near the stadium displayed a message that read “You Lost” with Trump’s face on it.
Trump’s political motives behind the visit
Trump’s appearance at the game was widely seen as a political move, as he is preparing for a possible run for the presidency in 2024. He is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, polling at an average of 60% among Republican primary voters according to FiveThirtyEight.
However, he faces some potential challengers, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is also a member of Clemson University’s Board of Trustees. Haley served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2019, but she has since distanced herself from him and criticized his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. She has not officially declared her candidacy, but she has been making appearances in key states and raising funds for her political action committee.
South Carolina is an important state for the Republican primary, as it is the first in the South to vote and has a history of picking the eventual nominee. The primary is scheduled for February 24, 2024, and Trump is polling at an average of 49% among Republican primary voters in the state.
The game and the rivalry
The game itself was a heated rivalry between the Clemson Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks, two teams that have been playing each other since 1896. The game is also known as the Palmetto Bowl, named after the state’s official tree.
Clemson entered the game with a 7-4 record, while South Carolina had a 5-6 record. Both teams were hoping to end their regular seasons with a win and secure a bowl game invitation. Clemson had won the last six meetings between the two teams, but South Carolina was looking to break the streak and spoil Clemson’s chances of reaching a major bowl game.
The game was close and competitive, with both teams scoring touchdowns and field goals in the first half. The score was tied at 17-17 at halftime. In the second half, Clemson pulled ahead with two more touchdowns, while South Carolina could only manage a field goal. The final score was 31-20 in favor of Clemson, giving them their seventh consecutive win over South Carolina and their 10th win of the season.
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