Trump defends court pick He renews Kavanaugh support, mocks accuser during stump speech for US Senate candidate
People started lining up as early as 4 in the morning on Oct. 2 for a chance to see President Donald Trump — who arrived in Southaven just after 5:30 that night. Trump came to Southaven to stump for Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign for the U.S. Senate, but the audience came for a variety of reasons.
“We’re just here to support the president,” said Mike McCarter, wearing an Ole Miss shirt and a Make America Great Again hat. Lisa McCarter’s shirt read, “Adorable deplorable.”
McCarter said he hoped to hear how the president will stand behind his Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, who has been accused of sexual assault but has denied the accusations. He also wanted to hear about the midterm elections.
In his speech, Trump renewed his defense of Kavanaugh amid the FBI’s investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Trump placed blame on Democrats.
“They’ve been trying to destroy Judge Kavanaugh,” Trump said, saying that “they know Judge Kavanaugh will follow the Constitution as written.”
He also mocked the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, saying that she did not remember how she got home following what she described as a sexual assault by Kavanaugh. “I had one beer, that’s all I remember,” Trump said, mocking Ford. “I don’t know — over and over,” he said, referring to Ford’s testimony. “And a man’s life is in tatters.”
Trump’s speech was punctuated by booing of journalists, who he accused of being very dishonest. He noted that he’s had “many false accusations” but that his denials aren’t believed. He said the United States has the worst libel laws and that “they can say anything they want” and can’t be sued.
Trump said that “guilty until proven innocent” is “very dangerous for our country,” asking people to imagine what it would be like if their successful father or husband had his reputation tarnished by accusations.
Trump also said the 2020 election looks decent and praised the new trade deal announced this week with Mexico and Canada as an “incredible” victory for farmers, ranchers, factory workers and the entire nation.
“America is winning again,” he said. Buddy Coggin, a farmer from Nettleton, Mississippi, said he appreciated Trump’s endorsement of Hyde-Smith. In the midst of the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct, Washington needs a woman in office, he said.
“We need nice people in politics, someone you can walk up to and talk to,” he said.
Coming to DeSoto County meant Trump was in Chris McDaniel country, and several people inside a section of the arena sported red shirts in support of the U.S. Senate candidate. Their shirts say “Trump Voters for Chris McDaniel,” who is Hyde-Smith’s opponent.
Coggin’s neighbor in the line, 65year-old substitute teacher Michael Shotwell, was proudly wearing a “We want Chris #MAGA” T-shirt, a reference to Hyde-Smith’s opponent. Shotwell said Trump would have supported the conservative McDaniel, but wanted to stay on the good side of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for pragmatic reasons.
Shotwell criticized Hyde-Smith for voting for the omnibus spending bill, which didn’t fund a border wall but continued to fund Planned Parenthood.
Shotwell said he most liked that Trump is “not afraid to do what’s right.”
So, why didn’t he endorse McDaniel? If he had, Trump would have alienated party leaders, Shotwell said.
Trump told voters that Hyde-Smith votes for him 100 percent of the time.
“She’s always had my back,” Trump said. “She’s always had your back, and a vote for Cindy is a vote for me and Make America Great Again.”
Nathan Riley, a farmer from Eudora, Mississippi, said he was hopeful that Trump’s new trade agreement could relieve the struggles of purchasing costs he and other soybean farmers struggle with.
“Where I farm, it’s always been tough,” Riley said. “But Delta farmers were really happy with the relief aid. I haven’t had a chance to talk to anyone about the new agreement, ‘cause it just happened. But anything has to be better than NAFTA.”
Riley’s friend, Brandon Howell, 30, from Tupelo, Mississippi, agreed.
“I think people on the left and right didn’t like NAFTA,” Howell said. “I do believe that people on the left can get behind anything that overplays NAFTA.”
Before the rally began, heavy traffic snarled roads around the Landers Center and paramedics had assisted at least 29 people who fainted or complained of heat exhaustion after standing for hours to see the president.
A handful of protesters also stood outside the Landers Center, holding posters that said things like “Stop Deportation!”
One protester, Adam Conner, 26, started shouting out to the Trump supporters.
“Everyone belongs in America! Keep families together!” he said.
Most Trump supporters walked by them. A few stopped to debate. Others shouted back: “They’re illegal!” “You’re at the wrong rally,” and “Go home to your mama.”
The Commercial Appeal staff Katie Fretland, Daniel Connolly, Ryan Poe, Jennifer Pignolet, Micaela Watts, Sarah Macaraeg and Katherine Burgess contributed to this report.