Update, 5 p.m.: Trump invited all the Congressional candidates to join him on stage. He then played a CNN video clip showing Trump polling well among Republicans. “It is my honor to be your president during this golden age of America,” he said.
At the end of the roughly 90-minute speech, Trump danced on stage to “YMCA” by the Village People.
Update, 4:45 p.m.: Trump said that when the war with Iran ends, the price of oil “will drop like a rock.”
He lashed out at Democrat candidate for Senate Marquita Bradshaw, whom he called a socialist. He said Sen. Bill Hagerty – who he said is a good-looking man straight from “central casting” – is lucky to be running against Bradshaw, because it will be an easy win. He called Hagerty up to join him on stage, and Hagerty thanked Trump for his support and his work on behalf of Tennessee.
Trump called Blackburn’s opponent for governor, Democrat Jerri Green, a radical, pro-crime, anti-gun lunatic. He invited Blackburn up as well for additional comments.
| MORE: Clarksville Now Facebook Live coverage
Update, 4:30 p.m.: Trump, who has been speaking since 3:15 p.m., touted his crackdown on crime in Memphis and his shakeup of the Tennessee Valley Authority board, where he said the CEO had been overpaid. “We’re going back to making energy at a low price” with “clean, beautiful coal.”
He encouraged Republicans to turn out for the upcoming elections, with early voting beginning Wednesday. “If we don’t win the midterms, they’re going to blame me,” Trump said. “If we do win, they won’t give me credit.”
Update, 3:45 p.m.: Trump said he’s “very popular,” and while typically his team campaigns in places where they’re worried, no Republicans are worried in Tennessee. “What the hell am I doing in Tennessee? I don’t have to campaign here and I win.” He said he’s here to thank the people who elected him. He touted the pending development of Korea Zinc’s Crucible Metals smelter coming to Montgomery County.
Trump repeated his promise that if the Republicans win the midterms, he will give every American adult $5,000. Trump predicted that if the Democrats win the midterms, we will enter a 1920s style depression.
| GET YOUR LOCAL MORNING NEWS: Sign up for our free daily email newsletter.
Update, 3:30 p.m.: President Donald Trump walked out to “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. After praising Kid Rock, Trump said Blackburn was going to do a “great job” in the Tennessee governor’s mansion. To make sure that happens, he said, “pretend that I’m running,” because when he runs, they get much bigger turnout. Trump said no one understands it, but the party that is in office typically loses the midterm Congressional elections.
Trump spoke out against Democrat support for “transgender mutilization” of children, weak military, weak borders and high taxes, saying that everything the “Dumbocrats” want is the opposite of what Republicans want. He said the Democrats put the country in a “dark age,” and now we’re in a “golden age” under his administration. He said the “fake media” won’t report on his accomplishments. In the “real economy,” he said, we’re “blowing it away.” He said incomes are the best they’ve ever been, and poverty is at its lowest levels ever.
He called Iran a “lunatic country” and delivered a mock Islamic chanted prayer. He boasted that America has destroyed Iran’s navy, air force, manufacturing facilities, and radar systems.
Trump said there were 1,000 people outside waiting to get in. Two Clarksville Now reporters are outside the arena and they watched as the final attendees entered at about 2 p.m.
During Trump’s speech, one protester in the stands began shouting and was escorted out.
| ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Clarksville Now
Update, 3:10 p.m.: Kid Rock is now speaking about Trump’s accomplishments and the legacy of the Joe Biden administration. He warned of Islamic extremists wanting to impose Sharia law and questioned whether Islam is a religion or a cult. Kid Rock’s speech was heavy on references to Christianity and included a tirade against “teacher unions indoctrinating kids,” redistribution of wealth, and taxpayers supporting “bums” who “keep having kids.”
Update, 2:50 p.m.: Trump’s motorcade is on its way from Fort Campbell Army Airfield to downtown Clarksville. About 40 protesters are across the street from the arena, with flags and a bullhorn, delivering chants such as “Trump is a racist.” The size of the protest has varied as people have come and gone. At its height there were about 60 people.
Update, 2:35 p.m.: Everyone lined up to get in is now inside the arena. The available seating in the arena is about 80% full ahead of Trump’s arrival. Trump was scheduled to begin speaking at 2:30 p.m.
Update, 2:15 p.m.: Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is running for Tennessee governor, walked out to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” She spoke of deporting illegal aliens, making sure we have safe communities through measures such as the Memphis Safe Task Force, growing the economy, cutting taxes, reducing the cost of living, bringing better jobs. Blackburn said she was working to make sure “Tennessee never becomes California.” Calling Democratic opponent Jerri Green “a radical socialist,” Blackburn emphasized that she is the only conservative in the race.
Update, 2:10 p.m.: Congressman Matt Van Epps, who is running for re-election in District 7, walked out to the Kenny Loggins Top Gun song “Danger Zone” song. He spoke of his military service and the importance of fighting “destructive ideology” here at home. Van Epps spoke of the importance of securing the border and keeping America strong, because “peace comes through strength.”
Update, 2 p.m.: About 100 people are still in line outside waiting to get into the arena.
Update, 1:35 p.m.: Charlie Hatcher, candidate for Congress in Tennessee District 5, which includes part of Montgomery County, said working in the dirt as a farmer prepared him for what’s ahead in Washington, D.C. Several other Republican candidates for Tennessee congressional seats took the lectern as well.
Update, 1:30 p.m.: Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton complained of a recent CNBC report that called Tennessee the worst place to live in America. He said that’s true only if you’re a liberal socialist. He argued that blue states have the highest costs, worst crime and least freedom. He said Democrats will not be able to “break through our red wall” in Tennessee, and that all nine Congressional seats will be Republican for the first time.
Update, 1:20 p.m.: The first speaker was former Knox County Mayor Glenn “Kane” Jacobs, who warned of “freedom under siege,” speaking of the dangers of socialism, illegal immigration, boys in girls sports, a weakened Second Amendment, and crime. He said strong Tennessee leaders would “suplex socialism and chokehold communism.”
| MORE: Election news, including candidate announcements
Update, 1:10 p.m.: Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden led the rally in prayer, bidding for unity, peace, discernment and blessings for servicemembers and all who serve our community.
Update, noon: County Mayor Wes Golden said Trump’s visit shows how important Montgomery County is to the nation, with Fort Campbell here and the big investments in recent years. “Now, we really have everybody’s attention,” he told Clarksville Now ahead of the rally. “This is the second time a president has been to Clarksville in my lifetime, and I was blessed to be there both times.”
Update, 11:30 a.m.: Congressman Matt Van Epps thanked Trump for coming to Clarksville to recognize service members and their families, and to “rally our base.”
“We’re in a critical midterm election. We’ve got got socialists that are trying to take over the Democratic Party and have largely done that in many areas. We’re fighting against that,” Van Epps told Clarksville Now, speaking inside the arena ahead of the rally. “We believe in security, opportunity and prosperity. The president knows that and the president believes that, and he’s going to stand here with great Republicans and great conservatives in Tennessee.”
| MORE: The Clarksville Rundown: Why Trump is coming to town (with dancing) | PODCAST
Tensions were rising outside between about 50 protesters and people waiting in line to get inside. Both sides were shouting profanities and threats. Clarksville Police were holding both sides back.
Update, 11:15 a.m.: At its height, the line of people waiting in the drizzle of rain to get into the arena stretched up College Street to Fourth Street, then doubled back for half a block.
Previously:
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – President Donald Trump’s midterm rally at F&M Bank Arena drew long lines of supporters waiting to get in Saturday morning.
The event also drew a couple dozen protesters as of 10:30 a.m., along the sidewalk across from the arena, many of them shouting profanities across the street.
Doors will open at 11 a.m. The event starts at 1 p.m., with Trump expected to speak at 2:30 p.m.
This article will be updated throughout the day.
Previous presidential visits
This is Trump’s first visit to Fort Campbell, and the second-ever presidential visit to Clarksville. The previous one was President George H.W. Bush, who gave a re-election campaign speech at Austin Peay State University in 1992.
| MORE: Presidents, VPs, first ladies: Who has visited Clarksville, Fort Campbell?
Christian Brown, Patricia Galarza-Grillasca and Nia Holland contributed to this report.
| BREAKING NEWS PUSH ALERTS: Sign up for our free Clarksville Now app