On Saturday, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, drawing a large crowd of 80,000 to 100,000 people. The event was a rehashing of familiar themes and falsehoods, with Trump careening from tangent to tangent.
He praised the fictional character Hannibal Lecter, comparing undocumented immigrants to cannibals, and falsely claimed offshore windmills are killing whales. Trump also repeated previous claims that his 2017 tax cuts increased revenue (they grew the deficit) and promised unspecified tax cuts for different income groups.
Trump Addresses Crowd of Thousands, Shares Thoughts on Whales and Popular Culture
Trump’s endorsement of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza was a notable moment, as he firmly supported President Benjamin Netanyahu despite concerns about civilian casualties. “I support Israel’s right to win its war on terror… I don’t know if that’s good or bad politically. I don’t care. You’ve got to do what’s right,” Trump said.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum spoke at the rally, fueling speculation about his potential as Trump’s VP pick. Trump praised Burgum, saying, “You won’t find anybody better than this gentleman… Get ready for something, get ready.”
The rally was a familiar spectacle, with Trump relying on his usual schtick and falsehoods. He wished a happy Mother’s Day to his absent wife, Melania, and repeated his usual claims about the media, Democrats, and the economy.
Despite lacking new ideas or substance, the crowd was enthusiastic, cheering and chanting “USA! USA!” throughout the event. Trump’s rally was a reminder that, despite his presidency ending, his political influence remains strong, and his ability to draw large crowds and dominate media attention remains unparalleled.
