‘Man, I loved that’: Trump cheers South Carolina rally attender who hit protester

A campaign stop at Clemson University in South Carolina on Wednesday turned rowdy when several protesters were ejected, and President Donald Trump openly relished one of the confrontations. After a spectator seemingly struck a demonstrator being escorted out, Trump asked who had thrown the blow, compared the man to boxer Evander Holyfield, who was present, and said such an act took courage at one of his events. He added that the protester "got whacked.", according to The Guardian.

A pool report counted at least nine interruptions from hecklers during the event, while the crowd shouted "USA" as security guards walked people out. The president came to the state to boost Darline Graham, who holds the Senate seat of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, after he died suddenly in July of a heart condition. She won the seat in a special election and now faces Democrat Annie Andrews as she seeks a full six-year term.

Disruptions have become common at Trump's appearances as the November 3 midterms approach, and he regularly dismisses the demonstrators as paid.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian →