Former President Donald Trump, leading the Republican primary field in his 2024 comeback bid, will be the keynote speaker at an annual South Carolina GOP event. Trump's top speaking role reflects his dominance in a state long influential in deciding who becomes the party’s nominee.
Trump will be the featured speaker at the South Carolina Republican Party's 56th Annual Silver Elephant Gala. The 8:30 p.m. event on Saturday, Aug. 5, will take place at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds — 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, South Carolina, 29201.
South Carolina Republicans’ fealty to Trump isn’t particularly surprising, considering his hold on much of the party base nationally even after losing to President Joe Biden in 2020. But their selection of Trump as keynote speaker inherently undercuts the political standing of local 2024 rivals, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). National polls show both are in the single digits nationally in their fight for the 2024 Republican nomination and the right to challenge Biden.
