Trump Boasts of 75,000 Rally Attendees, Secret Service Reports 5,000

Former President Donald Trump claimed that 75,000 people attended his rally in Pickens, South Carolina on Saturday, but the Secret Service reported a much lower number.

Trump made the claim during his speech, which was held in the sweltering heat and led to over 50 people seeking medical attention. He also shared the claim on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Pickens Police Chief Randall Beach estimated that the crowd was closer to 50,000, but the Secret Service said that there were only 5,000 people inside the gate and approximately 10,000 still in line at 11 a.m.

The discrepancy between Trump’s claim and the Secret Service’s report is not the first time that the former president has exaggerated the size of his rallies. In 2016, he claimed that a rally in Mobile, Alabama drew 60,000 people, but the Secret Service said that the actual number was closer to 30,000.

It is unclear why Trump would exaggerate the size of his rallies. Some have speculated that he does it to boost his ego or to create the illusion of popularity. Others have said that he does it to intimidate his opponents.

Whatever the reason, Trump’s claims about the size of his rallies are often inaccurate. The Secret Service’s report on the Pickens rally is a reminder that the former president’s words should not be taken at face value.

You can read more here.