Local

Trump supporters come together, hold rally after president's controversial tweets

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Supporters of Donald Trump and those protesting against him clashed in Matthews Saturday.

Hundreds gathered for a "Spirit of America" rally, one of dozens held all over the U.S.  It was designed to show support for the president.

Chris O’Shea said Trump’s push to lower taxes for businesses and other economic polices would benefit all Americans.  He also supports the president’s stance on immigration.

"His immigration policy is not anti-immigration, it’s come here legally,” said O’Shea.

Dozens of anti-Trump demonstrators were on the other side of a fence.  They condemned Trump’s immigration policies, and an agenda they called anti-American.

“We believe this administration is dangerous for our family,” said one protestor.

Trump tweeted serious accusations against former president Barack Obama.

Trump started tweeting at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

In the tweets, Trump said Obama wiretapped his telephones during last year's election.

Trump also said he just found out about the supposed October tapping in Trump tower.

The former Obama administration responded to the claims shortly after.

Obama's foreign policy advisor tweeted:

"No president can order a wiretap, those restrictions were put in place to protect citizens from people like you."

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham also reacted to Trump's claims.

"I'm very worried that our president is suggesting that the former president has done something illegally. I would be very worried if, in fact, the Obama administration was able to obtain more lawfully about Trump campaign activity with foreign government. So, it's my job as a United States Senator to get to the bottom of this. I promise you i will,” he said.

The president did not provide any evidence to back up the wiretapping allegation.

Supporters of Trump came together in Matthews to show support for him and his policies.

Organizers said that about 400 people were expected to attend the “spirit of America rally.”

They call themselves the silent majority, the people who helped elect Trump.

They said they are weary of turning on the television and seeing protests and rallies against the president, and want to show that there are many who support him.

People who attended the rally said Trump's economic policy is going to benefit all Americans and they say they support his attempts to make American borders safe.

"His immigration policy is not anti-immigrant,” Carolinians for Trump co-founder, Chris O'shea said. “It's come here legally. We want everyone to come, but come legally."

This is just one of several similar rallies being held all over the nation.

Organizers said they expected some protesters to oppose their message today, but so far that hasn't happened.