President Donald Trump visited Coosa Steel in Rome on Thursday, Feb. 19, endorsing Clay Fuller in the special election after Marjorie Taylor Greene’s departure, while also outlining his administration’s achievements so far. Before his main arrival at a Coosa Steel warehouse, President Trump visited the Varsity to stop by for a brief visit. Supporters gathered inside Coosa Steel as the President used local businesses to show how his economic policies are boosting American industry. Fuller briefly took the stage to introduce himself, share his ideas and reinforce the importance of the upcoming special election.
Trump made claims about making costs more affordable, noting gas as an example, with even lower costs to come, stating he has won affordability.
“In some areas it is true, with gas prices and middle class tax cuts, but as a whole I don’t think it has gotten totally more affordable,” senior John Courtnay said. “It is a controversial topic; some things are more expensive, and some things are less expensive, but I think it all evens out. A big emphasis for a lot of people is gas prices, and those are definitely down.”
There were many notable people in attendance at the rally, as University of Georgia (UGA) quarterback Gunner Stockton and former UGA Football star Herschel Walker took the stage in support of the President.
“I think it is great to see Gunner and Herschel; they’re great representatives for the Republicans,” senior Crawford Pettit said. “You just think about down south Georgia football, and what is better than starting quarterback Gunner Stockton and Herschel Walker, the all-time GOAT running back.”
The event drew much attention to the town as Trump landed at Richard B. Russel Regional Airport and made his way to the Varsity before speaking at Coosa Steel.
“It was pretty cool that Trump went to the Varsity and showed love to Rome and our community,” junior Nate Kunczewski said.
Many people were interviewed as they waited in line to enter the event by news stations, and some of the interactions went viral.
“A couple of buddies and I went to the Trump rally, and a guy from RSBN came up and asked us about Trump and all of the sports teams of Darlington,” Kunczewski said. “I thought it was pretty funny that we went viral because we were just joking around. I didn’t think that many people would see us.”
There are many opinions on the interview that went viral on X with millions of views.
“Nate, he came in there and spoke his mind, and what was on his mind was correct,” Pettit said.
The event drew a mix of people with different ideas, with a large majority of supporters. However, a group of protesters gathered outside the venue throughout the day.
“It wasn’t necessarily peaceful, and the protestors said some horrible things. I don’t think that was nice or fair to people who just wanted to see a sitting president,” Courtnay said.