President Donald Trump held a midterm campaign rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, drawing about 4,500 supporters to the F&M Bank Arena despite remnants of Hurricane Isaias.
The event marked the president's second visit to the state in as many weeks as part of a broader effort to energize Republican voters ahead of the Nov. 3 elections. Trump took the stage around 3 p.m. and spoke for nearly two hours, entering to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." after an introduction by Kid Rock.
Trump praised Tennessee Republicans including Sen. Bill Hagerty, who faces reelection, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the party's nominee for governor. He urged attendees to treat the midterms as if he were on the ballot and promised that Republican control of Congress would bring $5,000 annual payments to adult citizens.
The president highlighted his administration's Memphis Safe Task Force, a coalition of federal, state and local agencies deployed to combat crime in the city. He also pointed to manufacturing investments, including a planned $6 billion project by Korea Zinc expected to create hundreds of jobs.
Trump criticized Democrats as socialists and communists while touting economic gains and border security measures. He made lighthearted remarks about potentially renaming an ocean the "Trump Ocean" and joked about geographic features.
The rally came amid early voting preparations in Tennessee, which begins Oct. 14. Local reports noted long lines of supporters outside the arena in rainy conditions.
Supporters and some protesters gathered outside the venue, with the event featuring appearances by several state and federal GOP candidates.
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