Former US President Donald Trump held his first mega-rally of the 2024 campaign in Waco, Texas, amid possible charges in New York.
Here are some highlights of the event:
Merchandise and Crowd
Thousands of Trump supporters attended the rally and bought Trump-themed merchandise, including t-shirts with slogans such as “God, guns and Trump” and “Trump won”. The crowd packed onto the tarmac of a local airport hours before Trump’s expected arrival.
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Warm-up Acts
The crowd cheered as familiar Trump supporters took turns warming up the crowd. Rock star Ted Nugent played a rendition of the US national anthem on his electric guitar, interrupted by an obscenity-laced diatribe that included attacks on the federal government.
Congressmen Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene also took the stage, lobbing pointed attacks on the New York City District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who will decide whether to indict Trump on charges related to hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels.
Crowd Reaction to the Investigation
The crowd offered some boos when Bragg’s name was mentioned, but few seemed concerned about the New York investigation. Some attendees said they were praying that Trump doesn’t get indicted, while others dismissed the investigation as nothing.
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Support for Trump
Many attendees said they were sticking with Trump for the 2024 Republican primaries, citing his ability to get things done. Some attendees bought commemorative t-shirts that read “Trump in Texas: I was there – where were you?”
Controversy Surrounding the Venue
In the run-up to the rally, some media outlets and Trump critics questioned why Trump chose Waco as the location for his first mega-rally, given the city’s connection to the Branch Davidian standoff in 1993. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick dismissed such connections as “fake news” and said that Trump had personally chosen the location.
Arrival of the President
Trump arrived in Waco on his personal jet, in contrast to his previous campaigns where he flew on Air Force One.
In conclusion, the Trump rally in Waco, Texas was business as usual, with supporters expressing their unwavering support for the former president despite his legal troubles. The event was marked by warm-up acts, merchandise tents, and a dramatic arrival by the former president.
