FIRST ON BUZZ: Donald Trump coming to Tim Scott town-hall meeting

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump will take part in a town-hall meeting, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, next month in the Columbia area.

Because of scheduling conflicts, Trump could have been the only 2016 GOP White House hopeful to skip the North Charleston Republican’s series of one-on-one town-hall meetings, being held ahead of the Feb. 20 primary.

But Scott said Monday that Trump will come to the Midlands Sept. 23. A time and location will be announced.

Organizers are working to find a location “that we believe will hold his vast enthusiasts,” Scott said.

Trump is leading in national and early-primary state polls despite his recent controversial comments about immigrants and women. S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley said she was disappointed in Trump’s combative tone after he called U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Seneca Republican running for the GOP nomination for president, an “idiot” last month.

“It’s important to hear from people we agree with — and from people we don’t agree with — and maybe we’ll learn something,” Scott said.

Scott said he would not engage in the personal attacks the New York business mogul has employed. But, he added, Trump has drawn attention to the race.

“He has brought a lot of energy, some directed towards him and some directed in the opposite direction,” Scott said. “The most important part of the process is that we will have more people engaged this time around than we’ve ever had. And I hope that leads to a vetting process that is more thorough and complete.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 6:16 PM.