Trump Campaigns in Tennessee, Highlights Investments and Public Safety

During a rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, President Donald Trump emphasized significant manufacturing investments and his administration’s work on crime reduction. He characterized Iranian leaders as “crazy” and entertained the crowd with a proposal for a “Trump Ocean,” all while sharing the stage with musician Kid Rock.

Trump’s visit came as he campaigned for Republican Senator Bill Hagerty and gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. His speech was a mix of economic updates, foreign policy discussions, and some off-the-cuff humor.

Kid Rock kicked off the event with praise for Trump’s leadership, while also taking jabs at the media.

He jokingly remarked, “Literally, President Trump could walk across the Cumberland River, and tomorrow the headline would say President Trump refuses to swim.”

The musician also expressed his views on religious extremism, saying that Americans should not have to live under religious rules that contradict the Constitution. “We are not, and we will never be, one nation under Mohammed, because we are, and we always will be, one nation under God,” Kid Rock declared to the audience.

Trump then thanked Kid Rock, referring to him as Bob, and addressed various matters of both domestic and international concern.

He touched on U.S.-Iran relations, asserting that Iran’s leaders no longer threaten as they once did, citing the impact of U.S. military actions.

“They don’t talk that way anymore, by the way,” Trump stated, referring to past threats. He claimed to have inflicted extensive damage on Iran’s military, stating that many Iranian ships and their air force had been effectively neutralized.

Switching gears, Trump humorously suggested that the Strait of Hormuz could one day be renamed the “Trump Strait,” along with previously proposed changes such as calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. “We need a river. We need an ocean,” he remarked, implying that the Atlantic or Pacific could become the “Trump Ocean” or “Ocean of the Americas.”

On the economic front, Trump highlighted Korea Zinc’s announcement of a $6 billion investment in Tennessee, expected to create roughly 740 jobs in the area. He proudly noted, “And your state will soon be home to the first new mineral smelter in the United States, the first one built since 1979.” This project aims to boost domestic supplies of critical minerals used in various advanced technologies.

He also mentioned General Motors’ $275 million investment in their Spring Hill facility for producing next-generation Cadillac engines. Trump’s administration has promoted tariff policies that encourage such domestic investments to avoid import taxes.

In addition, he discussed public safety, praising federal law enforcement’s actions in Memphis, stating that they had removed about 12,000 high-risk criminals from the streets. The White House claimed that crime rates, including homicides in Memphis, had dropped by around 36%, attributing this to efforts like the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Trump lightened the mood by sharing a few anecdotes about First Lady Melania Trump, particularly about how she critiques his impersonations. “She said it’s not presidential,” he chuckled, before jokingly noting, “There’s only room for one star in a family, so I don’t need this movie stuff. I don’t need it.”

Reflecting on his connection to Tennessee, where he received strong support during his presidential runs, Trump remarked on the visit being a way to thank his supporters. “Sometimes it’s nice to go to a place where you don’t have to be,” he said, adding that he wanted to express gratitude to the people who backed him in three elections.

Consistently steering the dialogue back to the upcoming midterms, Trump encouraged the crowd to support Republican candidates, despite his absence from the ballot. “In this election, I’m asking you to do me a favor. Pretend. Just pretend that I’m running,” he urged the attendees.