Trump praises rallygoer who threw a punch at Clemson rally
A man threw a punch toward a protester at President Donald Trump's rally on Wednesday, NBC News and the New York Post reported. Trump praised the man and compared him to boxer Evander Holyfield, who was there. The rally in South Carolina was for Senator Darline Graham, who is up for election.
At least one rallygoer threw a punch toward a protester at President Donald Trump's rally at Clemson University on Wednesday night, NBC News reported. The New York Post reported that two hecklers were struck by other rallygoers. Trump was campaigning for Senator Darline Graham, a South Carolina Republican.
Trump asked whether everyone in the crowd was OK, NBC News and the Guardian reported. "That was incredible," Trump said, according to NBC News. "Who threw that punch?" The Post quoted him as saying, "Who's the guy that threw the punch? You are!"
Trump compared the man to Evander Holyfield, the former boxing champion, who was at the rally, NBC News and the Post reported. "You reminded me of Evander 'the Real Deal' Holyfield," Trump said, according to the Post. NBC News quoted him as saying, "The guy stood up, and he just let that little — and he got whacked, man."
"It takes courage to do that at a Trump rally," Trump said of heckling, the Post and the Guardian reported. The Post and Courier said the incident was out of view of its reporter in the arena.
Outlets gave different counts of the hecklers. NBC News said Trump was interrupted at least four times. The Guardian, citing a pool report, said it was at least nine times. The Post said there were at least 12 hecklers. Law enforcement removed multiple people from the arena, NBC News reported.
Trump also attacked Graham's Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, over transgender issues, NBC News and the Post reported. Andrews, a physician, has said she does not support gender-affirming surgery for minors or transgender athletes in women's sports, NBC News reported.
Graham is running for a full term in the seat once held by her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, NBC News and the Guardian reported. NBC News said the race is not considered a battleground, and Trump won the state by nearly 18 points in 2024. The Post said Andrews is doing surprisingly well in polls.
At the rally, Graham set herself apart from her brother on immigration. "I'm a little bit tougher," she said, according to NBC News. "If you're here illegally, you've got to go."
What we know: A rallygoer threw a punch toward a protester, and Trump praised him from the stage.
What we don't: Who the man is and whether anyone was hurt.
Where outlets agree NBC News and the New York Post report that a rallygoer threw a punch during Trump's Clemson rally and that Trump praised the man and compared him to Evander Holyfield.
Where they differ NBC News reports that Trump was interrupted at least four times, while the New York Post reports that at least 12 hecklers interrupted him.