CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — President Donald Trump used a Saturday rally in Clarksville to make a sweeping economic promise, defend his policy record and urge Tennessee voters to help Republicans win the House and Senate in November.
President Trump spoke at F&M Bank Arena after a day that brought supporters, protesters and several high-profile Tennessee Republicans to Clarksville. Some supporters started lining up as early as 9 p.m. Friday for the chance to see the president.
Republican leaders and musician Kid Rock took the stage before President Trump. Outside the arena, protesters and supporters of President Trump shouted back and forth as people arrived.
President Trump tied his biggest policy promise of the day to Republican victories in the midterms.
“If Republicans win the House of Representatives and the Senate I am going to give all adult citizens in the United States of America $5,000 every year,” President Trump said.
President Trump said tariff revenue would pay for the annual payments. He later estimated the cost at about $1 trillion, while arguing that his tariffs and what he described as record private investment would generate enough economic growth to cover it.
The president did not explain who would qualify for the payments, when they would begin or how the federal government would distribute them.
President Trump spent much of his speech defending tariffs and promoting what he said is a wave of new investment in American factories, auto plants and pharmaceutical companies. He said companies are moving production back to the United States and argued that tariffs have given him leverage in negotiations with other countries.
President Trump also claimed his administration has secured major prescription-drug price cuts through its “most favored nation” policy, which he said pressures drugmakers and foreign governments to lower prices.
The president directly addressed Tennessee farmers and small-business owners, saying he had eliminated the estate tax on farms and small businesses.
“I got rid of the estate tax on farms and small businesses,” President Trump said.
The federal estate tax still exists, although the current exemption shields many estates. The IRS says the basic federal estate-tax exclusion for 2026 is $15 million per person.
President Trump also talked about gasoline prices, the war with Iran, immigration and public safety. He repeated his criticism of transgender athletes participating in women’s sports and attacked Democratic policies on taxes, border security and crime.
The president praised the Memphis Safe Task Force, saying its work has made Memphis safer. President Trump told the crowd the operation removed thousands of dangerous offenders from the city, though he did not provide documentation during the speech.
President Trump also spoke about his administration’s immigration enforcement and claimed it had dramatically reduced illegal border crossings. He described the border as a central issue in the midterm election.
The event served as a campaign stop for Tennessee Republicans, especially U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty and Republican gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn. President Trump closed his remarks by urging voters to support both candidates.
A late-August Beacon Center poll of likely Tennessee voters found Blackburn leading Democrat Jerri Green 55% to 34% in the governor’s race. The same poll found Hagerty leading Democrat Marquita Bradshaw 58% to 33% in the U.S. Senate race.
While President Trump’s supporters gathered inside the arena, protesters outside challenged his message.
The Tennessee Democratic Party released a statement calling the rally an effort to boost Republicans before Election Day. The party argued that Tennessee families continue to struggle with high bills and paychecks that do not stretch far enough.
“I don’t hear policies,” said Joy Rice with Clarksville Indivisible. “I hear him getting up talking about, ‘I’m gonna lower gas prices on day one.’ Well, we’re a little past that.”
Supporters of President Trump said they came to hear a president they believe is focused on everyday costs.
“I think he’s doing a good job trying to bring the fuel prices down, trying to bring grocery prices down,” President Trump supporter Ray Smith told FOX 17 News.
President Trump’s Clarksville stop put a national spotlight on Tennessee’s races as both parties work to turn out voters. Early voting begins Tuesday, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.