Donald Trump He gave the go-ahead on Saturday to win back the White House in next year’s election at a rally in Waco, Texas. This was not the former president’s first campaign act since he announced his new candidacy for the presidency of the United States in November last year, but it was the first major campaign opening act. This happened at a time of great tension, in the period leading up to his indictment and arrest, and a few days after he summoned his followers to protest and warned them of “death and destruction” if his trial was completed.
Among the posters seen behind the podium from which the candidate spoke, many bore the legend “Witch Hunt” and “witch hunt,” Trump’s persistent claim since he entered politics and began being investigated.
The case for which he could be charged this week concerns payments made by his lawyer to a porn actress, Stormy Daniels, to hush up an extramarital affair shortly before the 2016 election, which brought him to the White House. But other investigations are under way: his campaign to change the course of the 2020 presidential election — the one he lost to the incumbent, Joe Biden — and his role in instigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, and accusations of fraud in office. business empire or keep hundreds of secret documents once out of power.
“Every corner of my personal, financial, business and public life has been researched and dissected as never before in the history of this country”; Trump told his supporters. They have nothing against me! He defended the former president, who declared himself “the most innocent man in the history of this country.”
One of the most frequently attacked in recent weeks has been Alvin Bragg, the district attorney leading the investigation into Stormy Daniels’ payments, who has called him a “racist” (Bragg is black) and a “degenerate psychopath.” Who really hates America?
political persecution
Trump has insisted the investigation is part of a political campaign against him to prevent him from returning to power. “If we don’t win the 2024 election, I truly believe this country will be doomed,” he said. “Prosecuting malpractices is their new tool and they are ready to use it on all levels, like we’ve never seen before.”
The former president has criticized the persecution he claims to suffer as something typical of a “banana republic”, but maintains that the ultimate victim is not himself. They don’t come for me, they come for you. I’m just standing in his way and I’m going to do it for a long time.”
Another major target of his attacks was Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida and one of the candidates—although he had not yet filed a candidacy—to face him in the primary.
Trump has opened hostilities in recent weeks against his former ally, insisting his successes in Florida, which made him the rising star of the Republican Party, were because of him. He asserted that DeSantis didn’t even take off his support and said Florida has been doing well for a long time and doesn’t owe that to what could be his rival.
In one of the attacks that could undermine DeSantis’ support, Trump insisted that the Florida governor is seeking a deterioration in Social Security pensions, an issue central to many voters.
“Stealing the election”
Trump did not forget to repeat his usual lies about “stealing the election” in 2020 – which were not supported by the courts or the Department of Justice itself when he was president – and made a host of promises for 2024: the protection of Social Security and Medicare – the health insurance program for retirees -; an end to voting by mail and the imposition of physical voting through paper ballots; Raise fights against “wake up” ideology and defund educational centers that require a COVID-19 vaccine.
“When this election is over, I will be President of the United States,” he predicted. “You will be acquitted and proud, and the thugs and criminals who corrupt our justice system will be defeated, discredited and utterly defeated.”
