Pictured with longtime critic Mitt Romney back in 2016, Donald Trump hailed 'a huge spirit' in the Republican Party Photo: Drew Angerer, Getty Images
Donald Trump's fiercest Republican critics have denounced the criminal charges against him for the first time as the former president hailed a «tremendous spirit» in the party.
Moderate Republicans, who remained silent when Trump was indicted last week, came to his defense after 34 counts of business fraud charges he faced were uncovered in court.
In their the number included vocal Trump critic Mitt Romney, Utah senator and former Republican presidential candidate, who called the allegations «exaggerated» to «fit the political agenda.»
He was joined by a chorus of other Republicans and even some Democrats who previously disavowed Mr Trump but argued the case set a dangerous legal precedent.
It was a rare moment of Republican unity around a former president who often split his party.
A heated Mar-a-Lago speech
Trump, 76, reveled in a fiery address from his gilded mansion to protect himself from his former detractors Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
In a choreographed rally-style performance in front of two American flags, he told hundreds of supporters, «Virtually everyone who has considered this case, including RINO [Republicans in name only] and even ardent Democrats, says there is no crime.»
Mr. Trump called the case «an affront to our country» and insisted he did not commit any crime after being charged with alleged silence payments for novels paid to a porn star, Playboy model and former doorman.
There were regular cheers from a crowd of donors, members of the Trump family, and paid members of the club as he checked the names of those who, in his opinion, wanted to get him «at any cost.»
At Trump's seafront mansion, a legion of his most ardent supporters celebrated what they saw as a ray of hope for his prosecution.< /p>
“They just handed him the 2024 election,” said 47-year-old Maria Corinsel, wearing a red baseball cap with the words “ULTRA MAG” on it.
Several dozen people gathered with “Trump” flags ”and wearing clothes emblazoned with the name of the ex-president to express their solidarity.
Cars are covered. neon lights honked American flags and Trump's campaign posters as they drove back and forth in front of the peach-colored walls of his estate.
They gathered in near-silence around a giant speaker to listen to Trump's speech, which was only two steps from the luxurious ballroom at his resort.
The indictment earned Trump hours of free media coverage and bolstered his credibility. status as a candidate in the Republican primaries thanks to an increase in the number of votes and donations of about $ 10 million, collected in just a few days.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week, about 48% of Republicans want to Trump was their party's presidential nominee, down from 44% last month.
The same poll showed only 19% backing their nearest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, down from 30 percent last month.
2024 Republican presidential nomination poll
“There are people who have never donated to this campaign before. People are waking up. They see what's going on,” Ms. Corincel said.
As the outpouring of support for the Republican Party continued, Mr. Trump wrote on his social media, “There's a huge spirit in the Republican Party right now! »
The criminal case, the first against a former US president, stems from hidden cash payments made to silence allegations of infidelity, including with porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
G- Mr. Trump denies the alleged ties and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Joe Takopina, his lawyer, said the former president reacted «with relief» to all the allegations. He told NBC News, «The indictment doesn't even state what the crime is. It was a bit disappointing and, frankly, a bit of a relief.”
The criminal charges are 'in line with the political agenda' Romney, 76, was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump in both impeachments. lawsuits.
He reiterated his assertion that «Mr. Trump's character and conduct make him unfit for office» in a statement after appearing in court.
But he added: «Even so, I believe the New York City Attorney reached out to bring felony criminal charges in order to fit the political agenda.
«No one is above the law, not even former presidents, but everyone has the right to equal treatment under the law. The prosecutor's excessive actions are setting a dangerous precedent for criminalizing political opponents and undermining public confidence in our justice system.»
GOP reaction to allegations on social media
An even harsher critic, Andrew McCabe, a former FBI deputy director fired by Trump, called the indictment «unfortunate.» «There really isn't much here,» he told CNN, adding that prosecutors «have a hard time» pushing their case.
Bill Cassidy, another senator who voted to convict Trump during his impeachment, said the persecution of the former president was «not so much about crime as about purpose.»
The New York Post, a once pro-Trump tabloid, attacked the Republican nominee in recent months, praising the 76- summer in its coverage on Wednesday. Its front page read: «Fabricated.»
John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, said, «Speaking like someone who really doesn't want Donald Trump to be the Republican presidential nominee I am extremely distressed by this [indictment].»
«I think it's even weaker than I feared,» he told CNN.
Свежие комментарии