Trump told supporters at Waco's airport on Saturday that the investigations swirling around him were straight out of the Stalinist Russia horror show From the beginning it's been one witch hunt and a phony investigation after another, he said.
The legal threats hanging over the former president were front of mind for some attendees, many of whom flashed signs saying WITCH HUNT Trump is being investigated by prosecutors in Manhattan for campaign finance violations stemming from his alleged payment of hush money to an adult film actress ahead of the 2016 election. A special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice is investigating allegations that he took top secret documents and orchestrated a plot to overturn the 2020 election.
Trump held a rally in Waco as the city marked the 30th anniversary of a raid by federal agents on the Branch Davidians religious sect there that resulted in 86 deaths, including four law-enforcement officers. Many right-wing extremists see the raid as a moment of government overreach, and critics saw the rally's timing as a tribute to Trump's far-right supporters.
A Trump campaign spokesman said Waco was chosen for what he billed as the first major rally of the 2024 presidential race because it is located between several major population centers and has the infrastructure to host a large event.
His attempt to lock in the Republican nomination faces a potential challenge from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, despite signs that his own support is softening, at least in places like New Hampshire, an early primary battleground.
Trump said he was not a big fan of DeSantis, accusing him of plotting to slash social security.
Florida has been very successful for many years, long before this guy became governor.