As of: 03/26/2023 4:12 p.m
Ex-President Trump wants to go back to the White House. At an election campaign event, he presented himself as a judicial victim in connection with allegations of hush money – and insulted his opponents. However, fewer fans came than expected.
At a campaign event in Texas, former US President Donald Trump presented himself as a victim of justice. He was guilty of “no crime, no wrongdoing,” he said in Waco, a place popular with right-wing extremists.
The Republican, who plans to return to the White House in 2024, faces charges over a 2016 payment of hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels no crime, no wrongdoing, no affair,” Trump said in his speech to several thousand supporters – far fewer than the expected 15,000.
He was the victim of “one witch hunt and one fabricated investigation after another,” Trump said. Behind it were “radical left-wing lunatics”. Trump called the plaintiffs “human scum”.
To date, no charges or arrests
A week ago, Trump said he should be arrested in the case and called on his supporters to protest. He named last Tuesday as the day of the alleged arrest. To date, however, neither charges nor arrests have been made. In the past few weeks, however, the signs of an indictment had increased.
The right-wing populist recently intensified his attacks on the Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg, calling him a “depraved psychopath who really hates the United States.” An indictment could lead to “death and destruction,” Trump warned.
Apparently referring to his alleged fling with Daniels, Trump said, “It wouldn’t be the one. There isn’t one. We have a great First Lady.”
Special Counsel investigating role in Capitol storm
Trump was also targeted by investigations due to other incidents. In November, US Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate Trump’s role in the January 2021 storming of the Capitol. Because of the excesses of his supporters, impeachment proceedings had been initiated against the ex-president, but these failed in the Senate.
Trump’s supporters consider the allegations against him to be either fabricated or insignificant.
Concession to right-wing extremists?
Trump previously described his appearance in Waco as his first major campaign event in the 2024 presidential race.
30 years ago, armed supporters of the Davidian sect had holed up on a ranch there for weeks. When the FBI stormed it, 86 people were killed, including four police officers. Critics see the choice of place and time of the rally as a concession to Trump’s right-wing extremists.
Donald Trump in front of supporters at Waco Airport, USA.
Image: AFP
Most polls see Trump as the winner of the Republican primary, but his party’s supporters aren’t as enthusiastic 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.