Trump stumps in Clarksville for Tennessee midterm candidates

President Donald Trump hosted a midterm campaign rally at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville on Saturday to boost local support for Tennessee Republican candidates ahead of the November midterm elections.

Many people arrived before sunrise and hundreds waited in line for more than six hours in a drizzling rain to be the first in the arena, which eventually filled with around around five thousand supporters.

According to Clarksville Now dot com, it was the second-ever presidential visit to Clarksville since President George H.W. Bush spoke at Austin Peay University in 1992.

The doors opened around 1 p.m. with warm-up speakers that included Tennesse Congressmen and candidates, mayors and entertainer Kid Rock. 

It took about an hour to get everyone inside the arena and seated before Trump was scheduled to speak at 2:30. That turned out to be the approximate time Air Force One landed at Fort Campbell Army Base, and the presidential motorcade arrived closer to 3 p.m. At about 3:30, the President came onstage to "God Bless the U.S.A." 

He spoke for more than 90 minutes about national and statewide themes, as well as referencing the Tennessee Republican candidates and their opponents. He encouraged Republicans to turn out for the midterm elections. Early voting starts Wednesday in Tennessee. 

Clarksville Now reported that there were about 40 protesters outside the arena when Trump arrived, and one protester was escorted out of the arena during his speech.


(Photo Wesley Irvin, Clarksville Now)