Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction: Trump heaps surprise praise for Democrat Scott Colom

Praise on a podcast

Trump spoke about Colom during an appearance on Stephen A. Smith’s “Straight Shooter” podcast. He said Colom had campaigned among people waiting to enter a rally, and credited him for doing so.

Trump recalled that the line stretched 10 miles. He said Colom told those waiting that he had done a good job.

A sharply different rally tone

The Corinth rally took place last month, when Trump visited Mississippi to campaign for Hyde-Smith. At the event, Trump called Colom a “Marxist radical,” a “fake” and a “shameless phony who pretends to be a moderate.” Colom had walked along the queue, introducing himself and asking attendees about their concerns. The encounter attracted widespread media attention and drew focus away from Trump’s campaigning in the state.

Colom’s campaign approach

Throughout the campaign, Colom criticized Trump’s policies without making personal attacks on the president or his voters. He focused in particular on the Iran war, which drove up gas prices, and tariffs that caused problems for Mississippi farmers.

Colom portrayed Hyde-Smith as ineffective in Washington and said he would defend the interests of people in Mississippi. The Associated Press called the close contest in his favor on Wednesday.