Trump tells supporters at Tennessee rally ‘I could say the stupidest things’ and ‘you’d clap’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Saturday, October 10, told supporters at a rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, that he could “say the stupidest things” and still receive applause, drawing laughter and clapping from the crowd.

Trump quickly followed the remark by arguing that his political message was based on “common sense,” including border security, low taxes and a strong military.

The event was part of the president’s broader efforts to mobilise Republican voters ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

Trump says supporters applaud his ‘stupidest things’

Trump made the comments while describing the reception he receives at campaign events and recounting a conversation with a friend who experiences stage fright.

“I could say the stupidest things, and you’d clap,” Trump said, prompting laughter and applause from the crowd. “It’s true,” the president added.

Trump then sought to clarify the remark, saying his message was not about making foolish statements but about policies he considered sensible. “But we don’t say the stupidest things; we say things of common sense,” Trump said.

“We say things that make sense, and probably are mostly conservative. But it’s not really conservative; it’s the things of common sense.”

The president then cited several priorities to illustrate his point, including border security, tax policy and defence spending.

“We want to have a border, we want to have low taxes, we want to have a great military. We want to have, you know, all of the different things. It’s like seven, eight, 10, five, four, it’s just things that are common sense,” he said.

The crowd also chanted Trump’s name and shouted expressions of support as he spoke about the atmosphere at his rallies.

Trump said the enthusiastic reception made it easy for him to address large audiences. “There is such love in these rooms,” he said, describing the response from his supporters.

Trump backs Tennessee Republicans, repeats 2020 election claims

Trump appeared at the event to campaign for Tennessee Republicans, including Senator Marsha Blackburn, who is running for governor, and Senator Bill Hagerty.

He questioned why he needed to campaign in a state where, he said, Republican candidates were performing well.

“What am I doing in Tennessee?” Trump asked. “I don’t have to campaign here. I’ve won your state by many, many, many points. Some ridiculous number. All the time.”

Trump also repeated his claim that he had won the 2020 presidential election, stating, “Three times I won the election. I got screwed the second time because they cheated. They cheated. We cannot let that happen again.”

Trump has repeatedly made this claim about the 2020 election, which he lost to former Democratic President Joe Biden.

During the speech, Trump again urged attendees to vote for the Republican candidates on the ballot and encouraged them to view the election as a choice involving his own presidency. “I’m on the ballot, just pretend I’m on the ballot,” he said.