From hardcores to moveons: Trump, South Carolina, and Republican opinion

Published: Jan. 30, 2023, 7:11 p.m.

Columbia, South Carolina — Former President Donald Trump did something unusual here in South Carolina Saturday night. He held a small event, or at least a relatively small event. Trump is known for holding massive rallies, with 8,000, 10,000, 15,000, or even more attending. His appearance in the main lobby of the state Capitol in Columbia was tiny by comparison, with perhaps 500 people in the room, and maybe a little less than that.