Former President Donald Trump returned to the spotlight at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he entertained a massive crowd with his trademark style, offering a mix of familiar themes and offbeat remarks.
The rally, held along the beach and estimated to draw between 80,000 and 100,000 people, served as a platform for Trump to showcase his unconventional rhetoric. From praising “the late great Hannibal Lecter” to making false claims about offshore windmills, Trump kept the audience engaged with his unpredictable remarks.
Using a reference to the fictional character Hannibal Lecter from “The Silence of the Lambs,” Trump drew parallels between undocumented immigrants and cannibals, alleging that they are “destroying our country.”
Turning to environmental issues, Trump reiterated his criticism of windmills, claiming they kill birds and falsely asserting that offshore windmills are responsible for the deaths of whales.
One highlight of the event was North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum‘s speech, where Trump praised him and hinted at his potential as a vice-presidential pick.
Despite the large turnout and enthusiastic reception, Trump’s rally offered little in terms of new policy proposals or substantive discussion. He repeated false claims about the impact of his 2017 tax cuts and promised vague tax cuts for different income brackets.
On the international front, Trump expressed unwavering support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, signaling his alignment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a personal moment, Trump extended Mother’s Day wishes to his wife, Melania, who was not present at the rally. Trump’s return to the rally circuit demonstrated his continued ability to capture crowds with his unique brand of politics and showmanship.