Trump rallies constituents in Clarksville ahead of midterms

Trump rallies constituents in Clarksville ahead of midterms Trump rallies constituents in Clarksville ahead of midterms Maha Salem, News Reporter October 11, 2026 Lindsey McIntosh President Donald Trump speaks during the Midterm Rally at F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Ten. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. President Trump came to Tennessee to support Senator Marsha Blackburn. A heavy, stagnant drizzle chilled the air as President Donald Trump visited Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday afternoon in an effort to rally Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections. Thousands of people eagerly queued in the cold outside F&M Bank Arena near Austin Peay State University to listen to the president speak. Doors opened at 11 a.m., but some attendees lined up as early as 6 a.m. to support the campaign. Cathy Fisher drove down from Louisville to hear about Trump’s plans for inflation, as she said deflation is a complicated process. “What people don’t understand is that you can’t deflate, because when you deflate it’s going to ruin the economy,” she said. The president did not speak specifically about inflation, but did repeat his promise to give every American adult $5,000 if Republicans win the midterms. He first announced the initiative during the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas on Sept. 9. Fisher added that Democrats specifically do not understand how inflation works. “I think they hate Trump more than they love their country,” she said. Clarksville realtor Janet Bloodworth said that she was most impressed by Trump’s ability to double down on Republican beliefs in foreign policy. “I think he’s got titanium balls the way he’s standing up to Venezuela, Iran, Russia, and the way he’s helping Ukraine,” she said. However, not all individuals in the area felt the same way. Jeremy Lawrence, a marketing student at Austin Peay State University, held a large upside-down American flag with signs attached to it. He came to protest when he heard about the rally on Facebook, and continued to do so even while Trump was speaking. “I’m pissed off, I’m angry and I’m young,” he said. Lawrence explained that he reserved tickets inside the arena so there would be empty seats. Both the event attendees and the protesters were screaming at each other from opposite sides of the street outside the rally. At one point, protesters rushed across the street to meet those in line after an hour of yelling. Montgomery County sheriffs pushed back and told them that they had to restrict themselves to the sidewalk or they would be arrested. Anti-Trump protesters and Trump supporters argue while outside Trumps midterm rally at F&N Bank in Clarksville Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (Lillian Troupe) One protester wore a hijab. A group of attendees said phrases at her like “Take off your rag!” and “Your God isn’t real!” The protester replied, “Come kiss my ass like you kiss Trump’s ass!” Despite the yelling, many individuals saw the event as an opportunity to spread awareness. Chris Proudfoot wasn’t at the rally for his political beliefs. He is the father of Sebastian Rogers, a young man who was declared missing by the FBI since his disappearance in February 2024. “I’m trying to put my son’s face in any hands I can,” Proudfoot said. Inside the rally, a variety of music blasted over the speakers, ranging from “Ave Maria” to “The Phantom of the Opera.” The president was set to speak at 2:30 p.m., but didn’t come out until after 3 p.m. In the meantime, people sold bedazzled MAGA hats and $5 Trump buttons while they walked in between the arena rows. The rally began with a prayer led by Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, and was followed by short remarks from former Knox County Mayor and wrestler Glenn Jacobs, U.S. Rep. candidate Charlie Hatcher, sitting U.S. Reps. Johnny Garrett, Scott DesJarlais, Matt Van Epps and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn spoke about Tennessee’s support for the death penalty, as it is currently under public scrutiny following the failed execution attempt of Christa Pike. She also said that by voting, citizens can make sure Tennessee “never becomes California.” At approximately 3:15 p.m., musician and conservative Republican advocate Kid Rock walked out to “God Bless America” and praised President Trump for “not needing a teleprompter to tell you what he thinks.”   He spoke about the Democratic Party and Muslims in the United States.  “We are not, and we will never be one nation under Muhammad, because we are and we always will be one nation under God,” he said. Kid Rock also made it a point to criticize the media during his speech. “I believe the media has become public enemy number one when it comes to honest debate,” he said. A young boy holds up a sign while waiting in line at President Donald Trump’s midterm rally at F&N Bank in Clarksville, Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. The “Tennessee is Trump Country” signs were passed out to those waiting in line before the rally began. (Lillian Troupe) He added that if the president were to walk across the Cumberland River, then the headlines would say that “he refuses to swim.” Kid Rock then introduced Trump, who also walked out to “God Bless America.” The president spent much of his speech talking about Islam in government.  He called Iranian government leadership “freaking crazy” and said, “They speak like, ‘We will kill everyone, we will kill everyone.’” The president also talked about Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s Senate elections. Trump responded to criticism he faced for a Truth Social post he made on Thursday, where he refused to use El-Sayed’s first name and instead referred to him as Mohammed. “Someone said his name is not Mohammed. It’s Abdul,” Trump said in his speech. “I’m the president. I can call him whatever the hell I want. To me, he’s Mohammed, and he is a radical jihadist.” Trump also talked about his initiative to rename bodies of water. He previously renamed the Gulf of America and Lake America, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario, respectively. “We need a river, we need an ocean,” Trump said. “So, I was thinking of either the Atlantic or the Pacific. We call it Trump Ocean or Ocean of the Americans, something like that.” At the end of the event, the president danced to the Village People’s  “Y.M.C.A.” and encouraged voters to support U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty and Republican gubernatorial candidate Blackburn, both of whom the president called to the stage. Hagerty thanked Trump for his support and his work for Tennesseans. The Tennesseans at the rally made sure to acknowledge their appreciation to him, too. “I’d love another term,” said attendee Danny Jackson. He hopes that the president will run again, despite the constitutional two-term limit. The polls will be open for the midterm elections from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Kentucky residents can find their polling locations online at the Kentucky Voter Information Center. 1 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Tags: clarksville donald trump midterm elections More to Discover More in Election Warren County Democrats kick off election season with second annual Democracy Dinner SGA hears guest speaker, moves forward with improved bus tracking resolution Warren County Democrats to hold second Democracy Dinner Kentucky, Tennessee absentee voting now open SGA holds first meeting of 26th Senate, swears in new senators, senate speaker Hilltoppers share mixed views on Trump’s presidential victory About the Contributors Maha Salem, Staff Reporter Maha Salem is a news reporter for the College Heights Herald, and this is her first year on staff. She is a double major in Public Relations and Journalism and is from Shelby County, Kentucky. Lindsey McIntosh, Co-Visuals Editor This is my staff bio: Lindsey McIntosh is the Co-Visuals editor for the Herald. McIntosh is majoring in Visual Journalism and Photography with a double major in Journalism. Her hometown is Hebron, Kentucky, but she grew up in Indiana and Tennessee. This is her senior year and first semester at the Herald. She has previously worked as the Talisman photo editor, Talisman photographer and Cherry Creative photographer.