WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Revisiting past battles, President Donald Trump on Monday dug into his tough trade negotiations with U.S. allies, his ongoing fight with Democrats over immigration and his 2016 election as he rallied supporters behind South Carolina’s Republican governor ahead of a tense runoff election.
Trump arrived an hour late after storms forced Air Force One to circle South Carolina’s capital city, but he quickly implored Republicans to back Gov. Henry McMaster in Tuesday’s contest. Trump pointed to his frequent nemesis, the news media, and warned that a loss for McMaster – he backed Trump in early 2016 – would be portrayed as a defeat for him.
“So please, get your asses out tomorrow and vote,” Trump said.
In a steamy high school gymnasium where supporters fanned themselves with red “McMaster Governor” signs, Trump escalated a running feud with late-night talk-show hosts and elicited boos at his mention of Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters.
Trump had tweeted earlier Monday that Waters should “be careful” after she urged the public to make Trump administration officials feel unwelcome wherever they go in public. Waters spoke after the owner of a Virginia restaurant asked White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave the establishment because she works for Trump, and in response to Trump’s immigration policy of separating families at the U.S.-Mexico border.