The Mercury News

Trump campaigns for SC governor

- By Ken Thomas and Darlene Superville

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. » Revisiting past battles, President Donald Trump on Monday dug into his tough trade negotiatio­ns with U.S. allies, his ongoing fight with Democrats over immigratio­n and his 2016 election as he rallied supporters behind South Carolina’s Republican governor ahead of a tense runoff election.

Trump arrived an hour late after storms forced Air Force One to circle South Carolina’s capital city, but he quickly implored Republican­s to back Gov. Henry McMaster in Tuesday’s contest. Trump pointed to his frequent nemesis, the news media, and warned that a loss for McMaster — he backed Trump in early 2016 — would be portrayed as a defeat for him.

“So please, get your asses out tomorrow and vote,” Trump said.

Trump accused Democrats of wanting open borders and not minding crime, and portrayed himself as the nation’s defender.

“We’re defending our borders because if you don’t have borders you don’t have a country,” he said. “Democrats want open borders and they don’t mind crime.”

Trump also lit into latenight comedians Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, suggesting they aren’t talented.

Trump’s rally, in a state where he triumphed in a key Republican primary and easily defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016, also brought chants of “Lock her up!” when he mentioned his vanquished rival and “Build that wall!” when he delved into the immigratio­n debate.

 ?? TRACY GLANTZ — THE STATE VIA AP ?? President Donald Trump, right, embraces South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster during a speech at Airport High School on Monday in West Columbia, S.C.
TRACY GLANTZ — THE STATE VIA AP President Donald Trump, right, embraces South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster during a speech at Airport High School on Monday in West Columbia, S.C.

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