In the midst of his civil fraud trial, Trump faces backlash from the public as he makes an appearance at the North Carolina ‘Palmetto Bowl ‘event.
The Trump Effect
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Public declarations of hate are nothing new for 2024 presidential candidate, Donald Trump. But a recent appearance highlighted his discomfort at the displays that greeted him.
Unconventional Greetings in Columbia
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Former President Donald Trump encountered an unexpected welcome in Columbia, South Carolina, marked by two striking billboards bearing the message: “You lost. You’re guilty. Welcome to Columbia, Donald.”
Statewide Collaboration
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The unconventional greeting extended beyond Columbia, with similar electronic displays delivering a bold message. Several additional cities joined the public campaign demonstrating their distaste for the former president of the US.
Provocative Billboards Dominate Arrival
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As Trump entered the city, two massive electronic billboards caught his attention, emphasizing the provocative message of defeat and guilt. The billboards, sponsored by the “League of Radical Leftist[] Vermin,” drew a direct connection to Trump’s recent social media post labeling unsupportive individuals as “vermin.”
Amplified by Legal Figure
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Renowned South Carolina attorney and vocal Trump critic Jay Bender organized the impactful billboards, as reported by Columbia’s newspaper, the State. The strategic placement of these messages sought to make a significant statement upon Trump’s arrival.
Bender’s Intentions
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Originally, Bender stated that he’d wanted to fly a banner across Williams-Brice Stadium during the game with the word “guilty” on it. However, due to timing logistics and the game’s night-time kickoff, he looked elsewhere for ideas.
Abundant Material
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“There could have been lots of things you could write up there about Trump, but I wanted it to be simple, direct, and readable,” Bender said. He also wanted it to be clear that the message was aimed at Trump.
Statewide Spread of Message
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The message wasn’t confined to Columbia alone, as other cities across the state featured billboards echoing the sentiment of loss and culpability. The widespread dissemination of this message underscores a coordinated effort to express dissent.
Response to Trump’s Remarks
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The billboards were a direct response to Trump’s polarizing social media posts, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding his statements and actions. The response aimed to amplify the message of disapproval from those critical of the former president.
Unveiling the Sponsor
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The billboards explicitly attributed the message to the “League of Radical Leftist[] Vermin,” emphasizing a stark reaction to Trump’s recent derogatory language towards those who oppose him.
Reaction from Team Trump
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Trump’s team responded to the unconventional greeting, dismissing it as the work of a “disturbed individual suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The statement suggested a desire for the individual behind the billboards to ‘seek professional help.’
Political Climate Reflected
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The billboards and the subsequent response highlight the charged political climate, where public gestures have become powerful tools of expression and dissent.
GoFundMe
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As of Saturday, the GoFundMe campaign has garnered $9,870, surpassing its initial $6,500 target. Jay Bender, the organizer, mentioned that the expense for the one-day electronic billboard presentation amounted to $1,000, a cost he personally covered.
Charitable Profit
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In light of the surplus funds, the GoFundMe contributors will receive refunds, and Bender recommends redirecting contributions toward food banks, homeless shelters, or other charitable organizations.
Bender’s Impactful Advocacy
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Jay Bender’s role in organizing the billboards underscores the influence of vocal critics in expressing dissent and utilizing unconventional methods to convey their messages.
Trump Supporters
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Aside from the billboards, Trump faced a mix of boos and some cheers while at the bowl game, according to videos posted on social media. The crowd wasn’t entirely hostile as chants of “We Want Trump” and “USA” could be heard.
Carolina Popularity
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In South Carolina, the former president continues to enjoy widespread popularity, having secured a 12-point victory over President Joe Biden in 2020. Given South Carolina’s significance as an early-voting state, Trump maintains a substantial lead in polls, outpacing his Republican competitors, including former Governor Nikki Haley.
Social Media Reports
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Members of the public took to social media as the event unfolded, with many largely in support of the hate-filled billboards. One user said, ‘Trump has been Trumped’ and another expressed surprise at the location, ‘This makes me happy to see because I didn’t expect this in Columbia’.
Electric Trump Effect
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Love or hate him, there is no denying that Trump is capable of stirring emotions. Steve Cheung, a spokesman for Trump reported, “Step away from your computer on a Saturday night and come to an event sometime to experience the electric Trump effect.”
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