Former President Donald battled boos, bickering and outbursts Saturday night as he tried to appeal to Libertarian voters for their support.
The presumptive Republican nominee was the first former president to ever address the National Libertarian Convention, a group that will choose their own presidential candidate this weekend as they gather in DC at the Washington Hilton.
That meant members of the crowd booed Trump, some turned their backs on Trump and they shouted about his pleas for Libertarians to join Republicans in defeating President Joe Biden.
“Now I think you should nominate me or at least vote for me because the libertarians want to vote for me and most of them will,” Trump shouted to a mix of boos and cheers.
Before his speech, Trump spent time backstage with Afroman, the rapper responsible for the 2000 hit Because I Got High.
Former President Donald battled boos, bickering and outbursts Saturday night as he tried to ask Libertarian voters for their support
A homemade ‘MAGA + Socialist’ sign is held by an attendee at this weekend’s Libertarian National Convention as former President Donald Trump speaks
Before his speech, Trump aide Margo Martin posted a photo of the former president’s meeting (left) with rapper Afroman (right) backstage
Just hours before Trump arrived, the head of the party asked if the party delegates could sit at the front, while the MAGA crowd was asked to move further back.
That meant his most vocal supporters had to shout over the crowd, which was more likely to boo.
As he continued to be interrupted, Trump became more comfortable taunting the crowd.
“What is the purpose of the Libertarian Party getting three percent?” Trump asked — noting that the party has historically been unsuccessful in presidential races.
“That’s why I promise you tonight that I will put a libertarian in my cabinet, and also libertarians in higher positions. That’s pretty big,” the Republican ex-president said. “Or you can continue as you have done for the past decades and get your three percent.”
“It’s time to be winners,” he said.
A mix of boos, cheers and outbursts followed.
An attendee at the Libertarian National Convention gives a thumbs down as former President Donald Trump speaks at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening
A supporter of former President Donald Trump held up a sign reading “Let Trump Campaign” as other members of the libertarian crowd jeered and interrupted the ex-president
More than an hour before Trump was set to take the stage, the Libertarian and MAGA forces in the room were already at war – Republican Senator Mike Lee shouting as he attempted to list some of the ex-president’s more libertarian-oriented achievements. sums.
At the same time, those present were drinking, as there were bars all over the room, where drink tickets were for sale.
The motto of this year’s Libertarian National Convention is “become ungovernable.”
The crowd took it to heart, with several members of the group, including one who appeared to be dressed as drag Princess Leia, being dragged out or chased out by security officers.
“Many people ask why I came to speak at this Libertarian Convention. It’s an interesting question, isn’t it?’ Trump said, laughing. “Well, we’re going to have a lot of fun.”