Trump touts $6.6 billion Korea Zinc smelter investment in Tennessee

President Donald Trump highlighted a planned $6.6 billion investment by Korea Zinc in Tennessee on Saturday, a project officials describe as the largest single private corporate investment in state history. The announcement centers on the construction of a new critical-minerals smelter in Clarksville and the reopening of a former mine in Gordonsville, initiatives aimed at securing domestic supplies of minerals for semiconductors, defense technology, and advanced manufacturing.

During a rally in Clarksville ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Trump touted the project as a key element of his administration's industrial strategy. The investment is expected to create 740 jobs across Montgomery and Smith counties. Tennessee officials announced the specific figures in December, positioning the facility as a response to global supply chain vulnerabilities. "And your state will soon be home to the first new mineral smelter in the United States, first one built since 1979," Trump told the crowd.

The president linked these domestic manufacturing gains to his tariff policies, arguing that import duties are encouraging companies to expand American production. In a White House fact sheet released as the rally began, the administration asserted that Republican-backed tax policies had preserved $23 billion in economic activity in Tennessee. The document also cited an average $3,674 tax refund for Tennesseans in 2026, though these figures were presented as administrative claims rather than audited results.

Trump also referenced General Motors' previously announced $275 million investment in its Spring Hill manufacturing facility, which supports production of next-generation turbocharged Cadillac engines. This additional capital injection underscores the broader trend of automotive and industrial capital flowing into the state under current trade policies.

Beyond economic metrics, the rally featured a wide range of topics. Trump called Iranian leaders "crazy" while claiming that U.S. military operations had destroyed Iran's air force, air-defense systems, and navy, stating that 159 ships had been sunk. He suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and floated the idea of a "Trump Ocean" or "Ocean of the Americas," though no formal renaming plans were announced.

Musical act Kid Rock opened the event with a religious-themed introduction, praising Trump's leadership and criticizing the news media. The musician also addressed religious freedom, stating that Americans should not be forced to live under religious laws that override the Constitution. Trump later thanked Kid Rock by his given name, Bob, before turning to domestic issues.

On public safety, Trump commended federal law-enforcement actions in Memphis, noting that roughly 12,000 high-risk offenders were taken into custody. The White House separately claimed that homicide rates and total crime in Memphis dropped by about 36%, attributing the improvement to the Memphis Safe Task Force. The president also shared anecdotes about first lady Melania Trump, joking about her objections to his theatrical impersonations of athletes during discussions on transgender participation in women's sports.

As the rally concluded, Trump urged supporters to back Republican candidates for Senate and governor, including Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn. He noted that while his name would not be on the ballot, he wanted voters to "pretend" he was running to secure a Republican victory.