Former President Donald battled boos, heckles 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 address the Libertarian National Convention, a group that will choose its own presidential nominee this weekend.
That meant members of the crowd booed Trump, several turned their backs on him and shouted over his calls 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 meeting Afroman, the rapper responsible for the 2000 hit, Because I Got High.
Former President Donald battled boos, heckles and outbursts Saturday night as he tried to appeal to Libertarian voters for their support.
Members of the crowd stand on chairs during Saturday’s Libertarian National Convention. Trump was interrupted throughout his set
Several hours before Trump’s arrival, the party leader requested that party delegates occupy the front seats, while the MAGA crowd was directed to head further toward the back.
This meant his loudest supporters had to shout in front of the audience, who were more likely to boo.
As he continued to be interrupted, Trump felt more comfortable heckling some of the crowd.
“What is the point of the Libertarian Party getting three percent? » Trump asked, pointing out that the party had not had national success in the presidential election.
“That’s why I’m committing to you tonight to put a libertarian in my cabinet and also libertarians in senior positions. It’s pretty big,” the former Republican president said. “Or you could continue as you have done it for many decades and get your three percent.”
“It’s time to be winners,” he said.
More than an hour before Trump took the stage, the libertarian and MAGA forces in the room were already at war.
At the same time, attendees were drinking, as bars accepting drink tickets were set up all around the venue.
The motto of this year’s Libertarian National Convention is “become ungovernable.”
The crowd took it to heart: Several members of the group, including one who appeared to be dressed as Princess Leia, were dragged or chased by members of security.