Trump floats ‘Trump Ocean’ idea as Kid Rock opens Tennessee rally with media jabs

CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE: President Donald Trump on Saturday, October 9, floated the idea of naming an ocean after himself during a rally in Tennessee, as he campaigned for Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty and gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The president also promoted manufacturing investments, praised federal crime-fighting operations and discussed tensions with Iran. Musician Kid Rock had opened the rally with a religious-themed introduction, praising the president's tenure while also taking a jab at the news media.

Trump floats ‘Trump Ocean’ idea while discussing Iran

Trump turned to geography while discussing the Strait of Hormuz and his administration’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. After suggesting the strait could be called the “Trump Strait,” he floated the possibility of another change.

“We need a river. We need an ocean,” Trump said, suggesting that the Atlantic or Pacific could be renamed the “Trump Ocean” or “Ocean of the Americas.” “Before I get out, I think we should have an ocean,” the president added, without announcing a formal proposal to rename either body of water.

Trump also addressed Iran, describing its leaders as “crazy” and claiming that US military operations had significantly damaged the country’s military capabilities. The president claimed that 159 Iranian ships had been sunk and that its air force and air-defence systems had been destroyed.

“They don't talk that way anymore, by the way,” Trump said, referring to what he described as a change in Iranian leaders’ rhetoric following US military action. “They have no Navy. They have no Air force, they have no anti-aircraft equipment,” he said.

The president also discussed domestic manufacturing, highlighting Korea Zinc’s planned $6.6 billion investment in Tennessee. The project, announced by state officials in December, is expected to create 740 jobs across Montgomery and Smith counties and includes a critical-minerals smelter in Clarksville and the reopening of a former mine in Gordonsville.

“And your state will soon be home to the first new mineral smelter in the United States, first one built since 1979,” Trump said.

Kid Rock criticises media as Trump urges support for Republicans

Kid Rock opened the rally by praising Trump and criticising news coverage of the president. The musician joked about how the media would report even a hypothetical display of extraordinary ability by Trump.

“Literally, President Trump could walk across the Cumberland River, and tomorrow the headline would say President Trump refuses to swim,” he said.

Kid Rock also spoke about religious freedom and Islamist extremism, telling the crowd that “we are not, and we will never be, one nation under Mohammed, because we are, and we always will be, one nation under God.”

Trump, who won Tennessee in all three of his presidential campaigns, told supporters the visit was an opportunity to thank them for their backing. “Sometimes it's nice to go to a place where you don't have to be, but you're there to say thank you to the great people that elected you three separate times in record time,” he said.