aA gigantic plane lands at a remote, rural Michigan airport as music from the Tom Cruise movie “Top Gun” blares from the speakers. The late afternoon sun illuminated the Rolls-Royce’s engines and the five giant gold letters “TRUMP” on the side of the plane. The red-clad crowd roared as the plane came to a stop behind the blue Trump lectern.
The door opened and men wearing dark glasses and dark suits, what Donald Trump called “central casting,” came down the stairs. “Trump! Trump!” the audience shouted, hundreds of camera phones raised in anticipation. Great Balls of Fire, Macho Man, and YMCA rang out. At the end, former presidents and future presidential candidates appeared, clapping and fist pumping to the sound of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless America.”
How different is this warm embrace from President Trump’s recent experience as a criminal defendant in a cold, dingy New York courtroom? At the time he was in danger of being imprisoned, he looked old, frail, and small. Returning to the campaign, it’s all about hyper-masculine energy and bigness: big planes, big crowds, big promises and big lies.
President Trump had a now-familiar somber day in court Tuesday. In the same court, he is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. But there will be no court on Wednesday, so he can get some new praise from fans.
The 77-year-old headed to two of the most important battleground states, holding rallies first in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and then in Freeland, Michigan. It’s rolling farmland, farmhouses, and silos are a world away from Manhattan’s skyscrapers. Instead of a gag order that he could violate and be fined for, Trump was free to speak out in profanity (“bullshit,” “shit”) and stream-of-consciousness detachment from facts.
And instead of a somber-looking jury deciding his fate, fervent supporters (mostly white retirees) held up the “Make America Great Again” regalia of “God, guns, and Trump.” Ta. “Women for Trump.” “I support Trump.” “Trump was right.” and “Fuck Biden.” (Due to the strong winds, several MAGA caps danced on the lawn and a life-sized cardboard cutout of Trump swayed back and forth.)
“He made our economy better,” said Karen Mantilla, 65, a bespectacled woman wearing a T-shirt that says “I’m still a Trump girl. I make no apologies.” He’s for America, he’s for the people.” And a hair ribbon. “He believes in God and is my lover.”
Mantilla, like many here, rejects the New York trial as a politically motivated witch hunt. “It’s a travesty,” she added, “just to stop him from becoming president. Why is he the only one being persecuted for no reason?”
Supporters held signs that read “Trump 2024.” “Fire Biden.” and “You’re fired!” In a speech that lasted more than an hour, with red ties and teleprompters swaying in the wind, the Republican presidential candidate made arguments familiar to anyone who has heard him rant outside court every day. Expanded.
President Trump said: “As you know, I’m here today from New York City, sitting in a kangaroo court for days on end with opposing judges on charges of corruption, and being forced to endure Biden’s sideshow trial.” ” he said. A Soros-backed Marxist district attorney taking orders from the Biden administration. ”
There is no evidence that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is taking orders from the White House. In fact, some commentators believe this is the weakest of the four lawsuits against Trump and could lead to political gains for Trump. But unlike a court case, candidate Trump can make outlandish statements without causing a stir.
He went on to argue that if he had lost the Republican primary, he might not have been prosecuted by now and could instead be relaxing in a “beautiful” place. “But you know, I’d rather be with you,” he assured the audience, who roared in agreement.
He argued that the New York case drove his poll numbers higher than ever, “because people understand it.” It’s a scam, but they get it. ” He went on to recycle the now-familiar line comparing himself to gangster Al Capone. “Joe Biden wants to jail his political opponents just like third world countries and banana republics,” Trump said. “The problem is he only has one. All of these incidents are bullshit.”
Trump also used the speech to make his case against Biden on inflation, promising to bring auto jobs to Michigan at the expense of China, giving men access to women’s restrooms and sports sports. denounced the “left-wing gender ideology” regarding the issue, repeating the lie that the president had made the decision in 2020. The election was stolen. He called on his home base to ensure that a 2024 victory is “too big to adjust.”
The former president also claimed that Michigan is “torn apart by immigrant crime” and that prisons and psychiatric hospitals around the world are being emptied by the United States “because our country has become a dumping ground.” Incited fear. He promised the largest domestic mass deportation of illegal immigrants in history, an idea that excited the rally. “When I return to the White House, I will stop the pillage, rape, massacre, and destruction of America’s suburbs, cities, and towns.”
He avoided protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, where university campuses are currently in turmoil, but earlier in Wisconsin, New York police officers stormed a Columbia University building occupied by pro-Palestinian students. “It was a beautiful thing to watch,” he said, calling on the protesters. Angry lunatics and Hamas sympathizers. ”
President Trump has repeatedly accused Biden of being the worst president in American history, who is on the verge of a landslide defeat. He has made it clear that his animosity toward Biden is deeply personal, as he blames his election rival for the charges against him.
“What a crowd!” he said, clearly enjoying the freedom from legal process and the unconditional support from those who supported his story. Among them was Lenny Salzeider, a former federal employee who wore an American flag cowboy hat and a Rockmount red Western shirt. “I think that’s bullshit,” she said.
Former builder Bob Horney, 70, commented: They all sin for years and years. For Biden…well, I’m not going there. ”
Asked if he was concerned about President Trump’s court testimony that he paid hush money to porn stars, Horney said: They’re talking about 30 years ago, 20 years ago. None of this has anything to do with this country. He is a good, strong leader. he is a loyal person. He is a hard worker. His children are working. And that’s basically it. ”
As the rally ended, the musical soundtrack picked up again and Trump performed an unintentionally comical dance on stage, briefly taking off his MAGA hat. He savored a final wave of adoration from his followers before boarding the plane, fully aware that Donald Trump’s bizarre double life would soon resume in Manhattan criminal court.
