Former President Donald Trump recently attended the Palmetto Bowl in South Carolina, where he was met with cheers from a sold-out crowd.
The Palmetto Bowl is an annual football game between two South Carolina-based teams: Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.
Many speculate that Trump’s presence in The Palmetto State was the former president’s way of teaching former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), a contender for the GOP nomination, a lesson against challenging him for the presidency. Clemson University is, after all, Haley’s alma mater, as reported by the Post Millennial.
The crowd at the Palmetto Bowl went wild as Trump stepped onto the field. Footage shows the crowd chanting “USA” as the former president waves to his supporters.
President Trump is in a box at the Williams-Brice Stadium to watch the South Carolina vs Clemson game.
He waves to his supporters as they chant “U-S-A!” pic.twitter.com/DxVTtSgStX
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 26, 2023
On X, formerly known as Twitter, footage showed several hundred Trump supporters awaiting the president’s arrival at the stadium.
Happening Now: President Trump makes his way into the stadium to watch the Clemson vs. South Carolina College football game.
Crowd goes wild! pic.twitter.com/e03EmACe8g
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 26, 2023
Not only is Clemson University Haley’s alma mater, but the former South Carolina governor also holds a seat on the university’s board of trustees, per the Post Millennial.
Trump’s history with Clemson University’s football team extends back to 2019 when the then-president hosted the team at the White House with an abundant feast of burgers and pizza.
The former president has repeatedly attended sports venues and has largely, in part, received a friendly welcome from those in the stands. In September 2023, Trump visited the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game, where he was greeted with loud applause as he made his way into the stadium.
One politician who attended the Iowa football game, Georgia State Sen. Brandon Beach (R), said, “President Trump knows he can connect with people and they are going to connect with him,” according to the Post Millennial.
“These are American values,” Beach said at the time, referencing chants of “USA!” as Trump entered the stadium. “They realize how much Trump loves our country. … They want what he wants: good energy policy, a secure border, to be safe.”
The former president has consistently trounced all those challenging him in the GOP presidential primary field, including Haley. A recent Harvard/Harris poll shows Trump leading the former South Carolina governor by 59 points.
