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Trump headlines midterm rally in Chillicothe for Husted and Ramaswamy
Read the full articleDonald Trump made the first appearance by a sitting president in Chillicothe in more than two decades, campaigning for Jon Husted and Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump proposed bringing the Space Academy to Ohio while protesters outside highlighted the closure of the Pixelle paper mill.
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Supporting evidence (13)
President Donald Trump headlined a midterm campaign rally Wednesday evening at Ohio University Chillicothe’s Shoemaker Center, marking his third trip to Ohio in October as Republicans work to hold offices six days before Election Day.
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President Donald Trump wrapped up a high-energy midterm rally Wednesday evening at Ohio University Chillicothe’s Shoemaker Center
President Donald Trump headlined a midterm campaign rally Wednesday evening at Ohio University Chillicothe’s Shoemaker Center, marking his third trip to Ohio in October as Republicans work to hold offices six days before Election Day.
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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.
The appearance marked the first visit by a sitting president to Chillicothe in more than two decades, since George W. Bush held a campaign rally at the Ross County Fairgrounds in September 2004.
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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 arrived after landing Air Force One at Rickenbacker International Airport near Columbus around 6:05 p.m. ahead of the event at the Shoemaker Center, which holds roughly 2,400 people.
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Trump arrived after landing Air Force One at Rickenbacker International Airport near Columbus around 6:05 p.m.
Trump arrived after landing Air Force One at Rickenbacker International Airport near Columbus around 6:05 p.m. ahead of the event at the Shoemaker Center, which holds roughly 2,400 people.
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Road closures, parking restrictions and early school dismissals preceded the event at the Shoemaker Center, which holds roughly 2,400 people.
During his speech, Trump repeatedly urged support for U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, who is facing former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a special election to complete the term once held by Vice President JD Vance.
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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
Trump also campaigned for Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, defending him against criticism over a campaign advertisement that featured the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton.
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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?”
To boost enthusiasm in the Senate race, Trump told the audience he would consider placing the federal Space Academy in Ohio if Husted wins.
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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.”
Addressing a proposed constitutional amendment on the Ohio ballot to enshrine photo voter identification requirements, Trump claimed opponents of the measure want to cheat.
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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.”
Husted also addressed the crowd, attacking Brown's legislative record and framing the campaign's closing stretch as a football slugfest.
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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.”
Inside the arena, at least two hecklers were removed shortly after Trump began speaking, according to local reporting.
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Inside, the crowd cheered as Trump took the stage. At least two hecklers were removed shortly after he began speaking, as protesters started yelling.
At the conclusion of his speech, Trump performed his signature dance to the song "YMCA" before walking offstage.
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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.
Outside the venue and in downtown Chillicothe, smaller groups demonstrated, including over the closure of the Pixelle paper mill and criticism of Husted.
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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.
Supporting evidence (4)
President Donald Trump headlined a midterm campaign rally Wednesday evening at Ohio University Chillicothe’s Shoemaker Center, marking his third trip to Ohio in October as Republicans work to hold offices six days before Election Day.
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Trump's visit marked his third trip to Ohio in October as candidates made their final push before Election Day.
Roughly 600 people waited outside the venue, with approximately 10 percent holding signs criticizing the conservative agenda.
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Roughly 600 ralliers stood outside the venue as they waited for Mr. Trump's arrival. Roughly 10% of the crowd outside of the venue held signs protesting the conservative agenda.
Deidria Collins, a former mill employee, said Husted showed up during an earlier event to discuss saving the plant but never returned.
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Deidria Collins, a former Pixelle Paper Mill employee, said Husted showed up during an earlier event to discuss saving the plant but never returned.
Early voting in Ohio concludes Sunday, Nov. 1, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
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The last day for early voting in Ohio is Sunday, November 1.Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/president-trump-returns-ohio-midterm-155611761.html
Supporting evidence (2)
Husted was appointed to the seat by Gov. Mike DeWine after Vance was elected vice president.
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Brown is seeking a comeback against Husted, whom DeWine appointed to serve the remainder of Vice President JD Vance's Senate term.
The mill shut down in August 2025, eliminating jobs for hundreds of local workers.
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In August 2025, a major employer, the Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill, closed and hundreds lost their jobs.
https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/2026/10/28/person-stabbed-during-trump-rally-in-chillciothe/
Supporting evidence (4)
While Trump was speaking onstage, a person was stabbed outside the Shoemaker Center.
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A person was stabbed outside a campaign rally for President Donald Trump on Wednesday night as the president spoke onstage at the Shoemaker Center on the Ohio University Chillicothe campus, according to video of the scene and accounts from people present.
Police responded to the area and detained one person, while video footage showed the victim with a pocket knife protruding from their lower back.
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Police scrambled to the area and detained one person, witnesses and video showed. In the footage, the victim appears with a pocket knife protruding from the left side of their lower back or backside.
Trump continued his remarks inside the venue following the outside emergency response, while authorities had not released details regarding the victim's condition or a motive late Wednesday.
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Trump continued his remarks after the outside response.
Trump continued his remarks inside the venue following the outside emergency response, while authorities had not released details regarding the victim's condition or a motive late Wednesday.
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Further details on the victim’s condition, the identity of the person detained, any charges, or a motive were not immediately available late Wednesday.