\u201cAll guests will be checked in by Security upon entry,\u201d it states. \u201cArea law enforcement will be onsite to ensure the safety of our workforce and surrounding communities, which remains paramount for the Port.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s visit to Corpus Christi comes on the heels of the State of the Union address<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trump has made previous appearances in the Coastal Bend, including leading a rally in Robstown in 2022<\/a> and making a stop at the Annaville fire station in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.<\/a><\/p>\n The Caller-Times will provide live updates.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Protesters clash with Trump supporters | 12:26 p.m.<\/p>\n A group of about a dozen protesters gathered opposite Trump supporters outside the Ortiz Center.<\/p>\n Supporters and opponents traded insults and at times profanities.<\/p>\n Two women at one point made contact over a protester’s sign. Police approached and helped to calm the crowd.<\/p>\n The line into the event began moving forward.<\/p>\n \u2014 Kirsten Crow<\/p>\n Anti-Trump protesters gather near Ortiz Center | 11:30 a.m.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Protesters held signs up that accused Trump of pedophilia and grift, among other things.<\/p>\n One woman donned a red robe, reminiscent of \u201cThe Handmaid\u2019s Tale.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily Mondragon held a sign reading, \u201cWill silence be your legacy,\u201d with a drawing of a crown crossed out, referencing the \u201cNo Kings\u201d anti-Trump movement.<\/p>\n \u201cI have many nieces and nephews that I\u2019m worried about their future,\u201d Mondragon said, her voice choking up with emotion. \u201cI\u2019m here to fight for them.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything that comes out of his mouth is insulting and shameful to us as a country,\u201d Howard said of Trump. \u201cI want him to have more respect for our citizens and for the citizens of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Kirsten Crow<\/p>\n Significance of trade at the Port of Corpus Christi | 11 a.m.<\/p>\n Just over a fifth of Texas’ seaport trade travels through the Port of Corpus Christi, according to 2024 data.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This includes a 2.3% decrease in crude oil shipments. Crude oil accounted for close to 63% of the port’s trade last year.<\/p>\n However, liquefied natural gas exports are up, rising by 15.4% from 2024 to 2025 to 18.6 million tons.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4b706bbc4071bc7318b7f8684daa513a.jpeg\"\/)
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