Military fighter jets intercepted a civilian plane Wednesday after it entered restricted airspace over Clemson while President Donald Trump spoke at a campaign rally for Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command said F-16s were scrambled shortly after 5:30 p.m. Eastern to intercept the general aviation aircraft. The fighters tracked the plane until it landed safely at a nearby airfield, according to CBS News.
NORAD said pilots who violate temporary flight restrictions may be met by federal authorities upon landing and face enforcement action. Such restrictions are routinely imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration to protect airspace around presidential appearances and other major events.
🇺🇸EXCLUSIVE: @POTUS just touched down in South Carolina for his Clemson rally.@MacyGunnell https://t.co/TNFnnVsVml pic.twitter.com/lpDUoKthF8
— NewsForce (@Newsforce) October 21, 2026
Wednesday’s restriction covered the area around Clemson University’s T. Ed Garrison Arena, where Trump addressed supporters on Graham’s behalf. Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, won a special election following her brother’s sudden death from a heart condition in July. She is seeking a full term against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews.
The interception was the latest in a series of similar incidents near Trump’s appearances. Over the weekend, F-16s intercepted a civilian plane that entered restricted airspace near a Trump rally in Cincinnati. Other interceptions occurred during his September visit to Chicago and an August appearance at a youth athletic event near Geneva, Ohio.
Air Force officials have urged pilots to check temporary flight restrictions before departing, particularly when flying near presidential events. The FAA distributes the restrictions through its NOTAM system.
