U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to make an appearance in Corpus Christi at the Port of Corpus Christi on Feb. 27.
The Port of Corpus Christi Authority, in a message posted to its website, states that “the White House will hold an event on Port of Corpus Christi property.”
“All guests will be checked in by Security upon entry,” it states. “Area law enforcement will be onsite to ensure the safety of our workforce and surrounding communities, which remains paramount for the Port.”
Trump’s visit to Corpus Christi comes on the heels of the State of the Union address.
Trump has made previous appearances in the Coastal Bend, including leading a rally in Robstown in 2022 and making a stop at the Annaville fire station in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
The Caller-Times will provide live updates.
A woman draped in an American flag passes a line of supporters of President Donald Trump outside the Ortiz Center, where Trump was expected to make remarks the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2026.
Protesters clash with Trump supporters | 12:26 p.m.
A group of about a dozen protesters gathered opposite Trump supporters outside the Ortiz Center.
Supporters and opponents traded insults and at times profanities.
Two women at one point made contact over a protester’s sign. Police approached and helped to calm the crowd.
The line into the event began moving forward.
— Kirsten Crow
Anti-Trump protesters gather near Ortiz Center | 11:30 a.m.
About two dozen anti-Trump protesters were gathered about two blocks from the Ortiz Center, with insults at times being traded between supporters and protesters.
Protesters held signs up that accused Trump of pedophilia and grift, among other things.
One woman donned a red robe, reminiscent of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Lily Mondragon held a sign reading, “Will silence be your legacy,” with a drawing of a crown crossed out, referencing the “No Kings” anti-Trump movement.
“I have many nieces and nephews that I’m worried about their future,” Mondragon said, her voice choking up with emotion. “I’m here to fight for them.”
Carole Howard said she was skeptical that Trump, as a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, did not know about his involvement in sex trafficking. She said she has a 14-year-old granddaughter and that she does not want to see her abused like the survivors and victims of Epstein.
“Everything that comes out of his mouth is insulting and shameful to us as a country,” Howard said of Trump. “I want him to have more respect for our citizens and for the citizens of the world.”
— Kirsten Crow
Significance of trade at the Port of Corpus Christi | 11 a.m.
Just over a fifth of Texas’ seaport trade travels through the Port of Corpus Christi, according to 2024 data.
Trade through the port has increased rapidly over the past decade, rising from $15.1 billion in import and export value in 2016 to $88.6 billion in 2024, when 206.5 million tons moved through the port.
But 2025 was a year of slight decline for the port. Total tonnage declined by 1.5% between 2024 and 2025, to 203.4 million tons.
This includes a 2.3% decrease in crude oil shipments. Crude oil accounted for close to 63% of the port’s trade last year.
However, liquefied natural gas exports are up, rising by 15.4% from 2024 to 2025 to 18.6 million tons.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stopped by Cheniere’s Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility the day before Trump’s visit, signing export authorization for a pending expansion of the LNG facility.
— Olivia Garrett
Democratic committee blasts state of economy under Trump | 10 a.m.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, issued a statement critiquing Trump’s visit to Corpus Christi. It referenced Republican congressional candidates Mayra Flores and the Trump-endorsed Eric Flores, who are battling for Mayra Flores’ former seat in Texas’ 34th Congressional District.
“If Donald Trump wants to remind South Texans how terrible the economy is, he can be our guest,” the statement released by spokesperson Madison Andrus read.
“No amount of lies will change the fact that home building has ground to a halt because of his recklessness, his chaotic tariffs are devastating the domestic oil industry, and he’s abandoned Texas farmers and ranchers to cut a deal with Argentina. We won’t stop the Floreses from fighting over who gets to hitch their wagon to that failing agenda.”
Supporters of President Donald Trump line up outside the Ortiz Center, where Trump was expected to make remarks on Feb. 27, 2026.
Supporters begin to line up for Trump event | 9:51 a.m.
A crowd of likely 150 people lined up outside the Ortiz Center at the Port of Corpus Christi, with many people sporting American flag-inspired clothing.
Brandon Garis, right, passes protesters outside the Ortiz Center, where President Donald Trump was expected to make remarks on Feb. 27, 2026.
The parking lot was slowly filling as supporters filtered in past the fence.
Katy Jackson, chair of the Aransas County Republican Party, said she was in attendance to show support for Trump and his “energy agenda.”
Another supporter, Brandon Garis, said he wanted to “let Trump know that Jesus loves him and Jesus loves America.”
At least two protesters — one referencing the Epstein files — called out to supporters along the driveway into the parking lot.
Noe Villarreal held a sign reading, “Release the files! #Standforthechildren!” He said he’s calling for Trump to release unredacted files detailing the activities of Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier who was convicted of trafficking children.
“I voted for Donald Trump,” Villarreal said. ”I am not Democrat or Republican, against any of those parties, but I am against the people who hurt children and touch children. … I believe justice needs to be served and kids should not be touched at all, period.”
— Kirsten Crow
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: President Trump expected to visit Corpus Christi, Texas