Threatened with indictment, Donald Trump denied any “offense” and proclaimed his innocence on Saturday in Waco, a highly symbolic place for his first campaign rally for the US presidential election.
To address his fans, the former American president had chosen Waco, Texas, in the southern United States, the scene 30 years ago of a deadly assault against a sect opposed to federal power.
Trump made no reference to the tragedy, and a spokesman told reporters that the Texas city was chosen because of its central location and good transportation.
Donald Trump has been brandishing the threat of imminent arrest in New York for more than a week in a payout case to porn actress Stormy Daniels just before her 2016 victory.
Justice seeks to determine if Donald Trump is guilty of false declarations, an offense, or breach of the laws on electoral financing, a criminal offense, by having paid money to the actress to buy her silence.
“The New York City District Attorney, under the auspices and direction of the Department of Injustice in Washington D.C.,” is conducting an investigation for “something that is not a felony, misdemeanor, or affair,” a- he said in front of his supporters, denouncing once again a “witch hunt”.
If several thousand people came to applaud the billionaire for this oratory exercise that he loves, under the Texan sun, the crowd remained far from the 15,000 people expected, noted journalists on the spot.
“We represent a huge power behind Donald Trump, just waiting to be unleashed,” assured a faithful, Kelly Heath, 49, who traveled several hundred miles from Georgia (Southeast) to applaud his idol .
“I love him, he’s our saviour,” said Marianna Bodrogi, a 69-year-old retiree. Trump drew thunderous applause by lashing out at Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg, in charge of the investigation, and his colleagues, calling them “radical left-wing maniacs.”
On March 21, he had unsuccessfully attempted to mobilize a tide of supporters on the streets of Manhattan to oppose what he had presented as an imminent arrest, which did not take place.
“All presidents have had mistresses. Why not him? said Louis, a 72-year-old retiree, accompanied by his 16-year-old grandson, whom he says is a “big fan” of Trump even though he is not of voting age.
The former president is also under threat of investigations into his 2020 Georgia election lobbying and handling of classified White House records.
He tried to find a second wind on Saturday with a loyal crowd, among stands selling the full panoply of the Trump brand, from “Trump 2024” and “Trump Girl” caps to a white shirt with the slogan: “God, the weapons, Trump in Waco, Texas”. Because even if most polls give him the winner of a primary to date, his campaign is struggling to obtain the expected momentum.
The billionaire, who continues against all odds to talk about alleged unproven “fraud” in the 2020 election, has seen parts of the right, including his wealthy donors, turn to the new champion of the hard right. , Ron DeSantis, 44.
The governor of Florida is not yet officially launched in the race but will undoubtedly be one of his biggest rivals for the Republican nomination in 2024. The Fox News channel, which was once acquired by the billionaire, has not covered the Waco meeting at least.
This city of 130,000 inhabitants remains associated with the anti-government Davidian sect. In the spring of 1993, the world was suspended for 51 days by the FBI’s siege of a ranch in which armed followers of guru David Koresh had taken refuge. Seventy-six cult members, including 20 children, were found dead after the ranch fire. Four police officers were also killed.
