Former President Donald Trump attended the 2023 Palmetto Bowl, a college football rivalry game between South Carolina and Clemson. His arrival at Williams-Brice Stadium was noted just minutes prior to kickoff, marking his first appearance at South Carolina's biggest game.
The attendance of the former Commander-In-Chief was previously announced by Brandon Charochak, a spokesperson for Governor Henry McMaster's office. Governor McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Evette expressed their anticipation of joining President Trump at the event, highlighting the passion and tradition that makes the rivalry significant in college football.
While the presence of the former President was seen by some as a campaign move for the 2024 election, no specific itinerary for the visit was revealed by his campaign. Both coaches, Shane Beamer and Dabo Swinney, chose to focus on the game itself when questioned about Trump's attendance.
The South Carolina Democratic Party spokesperson, Alyssa Bradley, viewed Trump's visit as a desperate attempt in his campaign. The visit coincided with the presence of South Carolina's former Governor Nikki Haley, a member of Clemson's board of trustees, and was seen by some as an attempt to upstage Haley, who did not attend the game.
Trump was a guest of Gov. Henry McMaster and was accompanied by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. His campaign announced that he had been endorsed by more South Carolina legislators than all opposing candidates combined. Around the venue, some vendors sold Trump-related merchandise, and some fans chanted derogatory references to President Joe Biden.