CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — President Donald Trump wrapped up a high-energy midterm rally Wednesday evening at Ohio University Chillicothe’s Shoemaker Center, capping a historic visit to the city’s first capital status with a signature stage exit of dancing to “YMCA,” the Trump shuffle and golf-putting motions before walking offstage.
It was the first appearance by a sitting president in Chillicothe in more than two decades. George W. Bush held a Victory 2004 rally at the Ross County Fairgrounds on Sept. 10, 2004. Trump’s stop was the third in Ohio this month as Republicans work to hold the Senate and other offices six days before Election Day.
Trump arrived after landing Air Force One at Rickenbacker International Airport near Columbus around 6:05 p.m. White-topped Marine Corps helicopters designated Marine One had practiced landings in the city earlier in the week, with the short hop south from the Columbus area anticipated as part of the arrival sequence. Road closures, parking restrictions and early school dismissals preceded the event at the Shoemaker Center, which holds roughly 2,400 people.
Inside, the crowd cheered as Trump took the stage. At least two hecklers were removed shortly after he began speaking, as protesters started yelling. Outside the venue and in downtown Chillicothe, smaller groups demonstrated, including over the closure of the Pixelle paper mill that idled hundreds of local workers and criticism of Sen. Jon Husted.
Trump repeatedly urged support for Husted, who is facing former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a tight special Senate race to finish the term once held by Vice President JD Vance, and for Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy against Democrat Amy Acton.
“I looked at him as being a very high-quality, nice man that if I got in a fight with him, I’d rip his heart out, and it probably would have been just the opposite,” Trump said of Husted. “Boy, oh boy, since I explained to people that he was a phenomenal, not a good, a phenomenal football player, you have really taken on a new life.”
He defended Ramaswamy over a campaign ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother: “Vivek was treated very unfairly. He had the mother of his opponent say that her daughter was a liar… And the press, the fake news, criticized him. … How the hell is that his problem?”
Trump also took credit for the departure of Haitian immigrants from Springfield after the end of temporary protected status, saying the town “went to hell.” On a ballot measure to enshrine Ohio’s photo ID requirement for voting in the state constitution, he said of opponents: “They don’t want voter ID, why? Because they want to cheat.”
He floated a potential incentive tied to the Senate race: “I want you to know that if Jon Husted wins, I am going to consider putting the Space Academy right here in Ohio. Everybody wants it.”
Other speakers included Husted, who told the crowd, “He’s been in office for over 50 years. Can you name a single thing that he’s done to make their life better?” referring to Brown, and framed the final stretch as a football slugfest: “Are you going to break?” The crowd answered, “No.”
Ramaswamy criticized Acton’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as health director, pledged to end sanctuary cities and cut property taxes, and said, “We say ‘absolutely no’ to Amy Acton.” Treasurer candidate Jay Edwards and Secretary of State candidate Robert Sprague also addressed the crowd on immigration, voter ID and other issues.
Trump finished around 9 p.m. As the Village People’s “YMCA” played, he broke into his characteristic fist-pumping, hip-rocking Trump dance, added golf-putting swings and shuffled across the stage before walking off to cheers of “USA!” and “Deport!” from the audience.
The rally was hosted by the Trump 47 Committee and featured free tickets through the Republican National Committee. Local economic concerns, including the paper mill closure and data center growth, have factored into the competitive statewide races. Election Day is Nov. 3.
