Former President Donald Trump has extended an invitation for the widely publicized South Carolina children's choir to perform and rally before thousands in the Palmetto State.
The Rushingbrook Children's Choir of Greenville, South Carolina made waves across the country on May 26 when they were instructed to stop singing after less than three full verses of "The Star Spangled Banner" in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Capitol Police eventually attempted to explain what had been referred to as a "miscommunication," but not before the choir's event garnered millions of views online.
“It’s a really, it’s a serious thing to have an event like that — such a beautiful time in your lives and such an important time in your lives — to be interrupted in such a way,” Trump said in a video message shared on Truth Social. “But we are going to have you in South Carolina, and you’re going to sing in a rally for us in front of tens of thousands of people. And we’re all going to have a great time together.”
The choir's director David Rasbach accepted the invitation on behalf of the children, calling it an “honor” and saying he “wouldn’t even think of turning him down,” according to The Post and Courier. Aside from Trump's invitation, Rasbach and the Rushingbrook Choir have had other opportunities come their way, including invitations to perform on national news outlets.
The initial interruption of the children sparked outrage among social media users and from many members of Congress. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) along with Republican South Carolina Reps. Joe Wilson, Russell Fry and William Timmons released a joint statement expressing their disappointment.
“These children were welcomed by the Speaker’s office to joyfully express their love of this Nation while visiting the Capitol, and we are all very disappointed to learn their celebration was cut short,” the lawmakers said. The same group of South Carolina lawmakers also announced their intent with Timmons adding, “We are delighted that the People’s House has been reopened particularly for our children and we look forward to welcoming more Americans back to the halls of Congress."
Wilson is in the process of introducing a bill to allow the national anthem to be performed on all federal property. "Love for one’s country should be celebrated," Wilson asserted.
At the time of this writing, an exact date for Trump's rally has not been announced but that info is expected soon. “We’re just gob-smacked,” Rasbach said. “We’re just a little choir of kids from Greenville who nobody knew anything about except Greenvillians who came to our concerts, and even then we never even had full houses. And now we’re performing on national news.”
It's clear that what these children experienced in the Capitol as well as the ensuing response from viewers across the nation has blessed the choir with an opportunity to spread an important message of positive patriotism throughout the country.