Title: Trump Defiant and Confident Amid Mounting Legal Troubles
Subtitle: Former President insists charges only boost his 2024 presidential campaign
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Former President Donald Trump, fresh off his third appearance in court as a criminal defendant, delivered a speech on Friday night filled with defiance and confidence. Speaking at a Republican Party dinner in Alabama, Trump insulted prosecutors and claimed that the charges he faces only serve to help his potential 2024 presidential campaign.
“We need one more indictment to close out this election. One more indictment, and this election is closed out. Nobody has even a chance,” Trump proclaimed, referring to the boost in polls seen whenever he is indicted.
Although Thursday marked Trump’s third criminal indictment this year, this case is considered the most serious. The federal government, which he once led, charges him with orchestrating a scheme to block the peaceful transfer of power. Trump, however, has denied any wrongdoing, further fueling his 2024 presidential campaign by tying it to his legal defense and false claims of 2020 election fraud.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Trump remained characteristically unapologetic during his speech on Friday night. To the tune of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” he flashed a thumbs-up, raised his fist, and basked in a standing ovation lasting nearly three minutes.
Addressing the crowd, Trump joked, “We’re gonna be here for a little while,” before asking them to take a seat.
In a show of defiance, Trump’s campaign released an online ad on Friday attacking Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who led the investigation resulting in Trump’s latest charges. The ad also targeted Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who have both filed charges against Trump.
The campaign ad is expected to air on television starting next week in Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta, and on national cable. It was also shown to the crowd at the Alabama dinner.
Despite his mounting legal troubles, Trump has continued to receive endorsements from GOP elected officials, including all six of Alabama’s Republican U.S. House members, who declared their support on Friday. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, known for his unconventional campaign to change Pentagon abortion policy, introduced Trump at the dinner and urged attendees to stand behind the former president.
The dinner opened with acts from Catherine Engelbrecht and Gregg Phillips, producers of the movie “2000 Mules,” which peddled various debunked claims about the 2020 presidential election. Trump praised them and encouraged attendees to get ready for upcoming elections.
With his support base seemingly unwavering in Alabama, Trump’s mounting legal troubles have not affected his popularity in the deep south state. The upcoming Super Tuesday primary contests on March 5 are seen as one of the last opportunities for any other GOP presidential candidate to challenge Trump’s front-runner status.
Trump’s closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has been attempting to gain momentum in Super Tuesday states. However, early indications suggest lower interest in DeSantis, as the Alabama GOP sold about 1,000 fewer tickets for a similar dinner when he spoke in March.
Trump supporters, like Robin Rowan, the owner of a financial company, remain steadfast in their belief in Trump’s innocence. Rowan wore a button and sash adorned with Trump’s image and the words “NOT GUILTY.” She stated that the charges against Trump have only strengthened her support for him.
Rich Foster, a retired police officer wearing a black “Bikers for Trump” T-shirt, also shared his belief in Trump’s innocence. While acknowledging crimes committed during the January 6 Capitol attack, Foster does not hold Trump responsible for the violence. He views the charges as an attempt to prevent Trump from winning in 2024 and would even write in Trump’s name if necessary.
While Trump has not been charged with inciting the attack, prosecutors accuse him of capitalizing on the violence and chaos to perpetuate false claims of election fraud and impede the certification of the election results.
As Trump faces his mounting legal battles, his remarks at the Alabama dinner underscore his refusal to back down and his confidence in his chances for the 2024 presidential race, despite the serious charges against him.