Donald Trump: His first major campaign speech in Waco

Donald Trump

He was “probably the most innocent man” in US history

“Witch hunt” is on the signs of Trump supporters. The former US President also presented himself as a victim of the judiciary at a campaign event in Texas.

publishedMar 26, 2023 at 4:58 am

Donald Trump called for his first major campaign event – ​​his supporters came. (March 25, 2023)

AFP

• Donald Trump held his first major campaign event at a place of pilgrimage for right-wing extremists.

• In his hour-and-a-half speech, he once again described himself as a victim of justice.

• The background to this is the investigation that is currently underway against him.

Former US President Donald Trump has again railed against the judiciary and political opponents in the face of impending indictment, as he did days earlier on his own social media platform, Truth Social. “The new weapon used by out-of-control Democrats to cheat in elections is the criminal investigation of a candidate,” Trump said on Saturday evening (local time) in the US state of Texas at his first major campaign event. Friends thought he was probably the “most innocent man” in US history. The Republican is running for his party’s presidential candidacy and wants to move back into the White House after the 2024 election.

The public prosecutor’s office in New York is investigating against the ex-president who was voted out because of hush money payments to the porn actress Stormy Daniels and to the model Karen McDougal. An indictment in the case seems increasingly likely and is expected in the near future. The investigators are concerned with the question of whether Trump may have violated campaign finance laws by making the payments. It would be the first indictment by prosecutors against a former US president. The 76-year-old has various other legal construction sites and presents all allegations as politically motivated.

“Either the Deep State destroys America or we destroy the Deep State”

Donald Trump

Trump claimed every part of his life is being screened like no other in US history. In the audience, spectators held signs with the word “witch hunt” in their hands – Trump’s usual slogan.

At the beginning of his speech, which lasted around an hour and a half, the song “Justice for all” was played. It is sung by a male choir whose members were convicted of their involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Proceeds from the song will be used to provide legal support to those accused of the violent riots. In the song, Trump recites the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States while the choir sings the national anthem.

In his speech he scolded the rule of law and knew the solution straight away: “Either the Deep State destroys America or we destroy the Deep State. That’s the way it has to be.” He sees himself as a warrior ready to fight for the American people. «I am your warrior. I am justice And all those who have been harmed, who have been deceived – and there are many of them – I am the avenger. We will take care of it. We will take care of it.”

“All presidents had mistresses.”

Trump supporter

Trump’s supporters consider the allegations against him to be either fabricated or insignificant. “Everything is distorted to give him a bad image,” said Kelly Heath, 49, in Waco. This should silence Trump.

A 72-year-old retiree named Louis said: “All presidents have had mistresses. Why not him?” Another Trump supporter said Stormy Daniels’ claim that she had sex with Trump was “no big deal.” The porn actress “came out of nowhere to see how much money she could make out of it”.

Place of pilgrimage for right-wing extremists

The venue caused a stir in advance: 30 years ago, Waco was the scene of a massive police operation lasting several weeks against supporters of the Branch Davidians sect, as a result of which more than 80 people died.

The Texas city subsequently became a place of pilgrimage for right-wing extremists who see Waco as a symbol of a tyrannical government. Trump’s campaign team did not respond to inquiries from the AFP news agency about the reasons for the choice of location.

With the rally, Trump wanted to give his election campaign new impetus. Although most polls see him as the winner of the Republican primaries, the enthusiasm among supporters of his party is not as great as Trump had hoped.

In addition, a section of the right, including some wealthy campaign donors, has turned to Trump’s inner-party opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The 44-year-old has yet to officially throw his hat in the ring for the presidential nomination.

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(AFP/DPA/roy)