Two protesters were removed from Donald Trump’s rally in Myrtle Beach on Friday after one interrupted the president while wearing a T-shirt bearing an explicit anti-paedophile message, as Trump campaigned for Sen. Darline Graham ahead of South Carolina’s closely watched Republican Senate runoff.
President Donald Trump’s rally at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on August 21 was briefly disrupted when two protesters were escorted from the venue, according to White House press pool reports and journalists covering the event. The first interruption came during Trump’s speech, when a man wearing a shirt stating “KILL YOUR LOCAL PEDOPHILE” began disrupting the event before security removed him. Roughly 15 minutes later, a second protester, described in a pool report as a young woman, was also taken from the venue as Trump continued campaigning for Darline Graham ahead of Monday’s Republican Senate runoff.
Videos and photographs shared online appeared to show the first protester being escorted away from the rally. Accounts from journalists at the venue, including Christian Datoc of the Washington Examiner and Tara Prindiville of NBC News, reported that two people were removed during the event.
According to accounts circulating from the venue, the first protester also raised his middle fingers towards the stage as security escorted him out.
Trump campaigns for Graham ahead of crucial runoff
The disruptions came during a major campaign event for Graham, who is facing Congressman Ralph Norman in the August 25 Republican runoff.
Neither candidate won enough support in the first round to secure the nomination outright. Graham received approximately 32.8% of the vote, while Norman finished with around 24.6%, sending the contest to a second round.
The Myrtle Beach rally was held as Trump sought to strengthen Graham’s position following criticism over her performance during a televised debate. When questioned about Taiwan and the South China Sea, Graham said she was “not that informed on national security.”
Trump addressed the criticism directly during the rally, calling Graham “very smart” and praising her willingness to be honest about what she did not know. He also argued that she would be surrounded by experienced advisers.
Myrtle Beach region could prove important
The northeastern part of South Carolina could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the runoff. Congressman Russell Fry previously attracted considerable support in the region before his elimination from the race.
Fry has since endorsed Graham, providing Trump’s preferred candidate with another prominent endorsement heading into the final days of campaigning.
Norman, however, has challenged Trump’s decision to back Graham, arguing that his own political record and history of supporting Trump’s agenda make him the stronger candidate.
Former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has endorsed Norman, highlighting divisions among prominent Republicans over the race.
The Senate contest was triggered by the death of Lindsey Graham. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster subsequently appointed Graham’s sister to temporarily occupy the seat while the special election process took place.
Thousands attended Friday’s rally, where doors opened earlier in the afternoon before Trump took to the stage in the evening. The removal of the two protesters provided one of the few interruptions to an event dominated by the increasingly competitive battle to determine the Republican candidate for the Senate seat.
