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It was Donald Trump’s first main rally in Washington DC since he instructed hundreds of his supporters to storm the Capitol 4 years in the past, and his final earlier than being sworn in for a historic second time period as president.
His supporters lined up exterior the Capitol One Area of their hundreds for his “victory rally” on the eve of his second inauguration. Some arrived the night time earlier than to arrange camp within the icy chilly. By morning, the road looped for dozens of blocks round downtown DC.
Trump took to the stage as comfortable as he has ever been, on the cusp of an inconceivable political comeback. This was not a speech to unite the nation — if it will come in any respect, that will come tomorrow. This was a celebration for the MAGA devoted, an opportunity to revel and gloat in his victory.
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Trump arrives to talk at Capital One Area in Washington, DC (AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
“Tomorrow, at midday, the curtain closes on 4 lengthy years of American decline and we start a brand-new day of American power and prosperity, dignity and pleasure,” he advised hundreds of his supporters.
“We’re going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington,” he continued. “We’re not going to take it anymore.”
Describing his MAGA base as “the greatest political movement in history,” the previous and subsequent president repeated the false declare that the 2020 election was stolen, insisting that this time his victory was “too big to rig.”
“They tried. They tried,” he continued, failing to say that he had gained the presidential election by one of many smallest margins in latest historical past.
Loud cheers got here when he declared that, “as of today, TikTok is back!” — referring to his intervention to overturn the ban on the favored social media community.
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“Frankly, we’ve got no alternative. We have now to reserve it. A variety of jobs. We don’t need to give our enterprise to China. We don’t need to give our enterprise to different individuals,” he added.
He promised his supporters that they’d be “very happy” about his forthcoming announcement concerning his supporters who had been jailed for storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The group was warmed up by a few of his most high-profile and die-hard supporters, every of them setting the identical tone.
Former Fox Information host Megyn Kelly criticized the celebrities who supported “fake” Kamala Harris and promised that there was solely “20 hours until our long national nightmare is over.” Stephen Miller, Trump’s choose to be deputy chief of workers and a key architect of his hardline immigration insurance policies, accused Democrats of attempting to “steal your futures” and vowed that “justice is coming”. UFC president and longtime good friend Dana White lambasted the “mainstream media, partisan prosecutors and assassins.” Child Rock offered his distinctive type of musical leisure.
For Trump’s supporters, it was an opportunity to have a good time his unlikely return. Many tried and did not get into the occasion, even after lining up for the reason that morning. Some queued for eight hours solely to be turned away from the 20,000 capability stadium.
Sabrine Finau, a 51-year-old dental hygienist, got here from California to have a good time Trump’s victory. Sporting a poncho and a MAGA hat to guard herself from the sleet, she advised The Unbiased what that victory meant to her.
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Some Trump supporters got here ready for the freezing rain (Getty Photographs)
“It means freedom, freedom for Americans, free speech. It means we’ve got a president in office that’s going to actually uphold the Constitution and protect Americans,” she stated.
The climate was horrible, nevertheless it didn’t dampen the group’s spirits. Avenue preachers shouted into microphones, competing for consideration with juggling stilt walkers and a saxophonist.
“I love this kind of weather,” stated Mike P, a 45-year-old DC resident, draped in a Trump flag, because the sleet bounced off his hat. “It means a lot to be here. It’s an opportunity to be around fellow Americans and celebrate this day, right before the Inauguration.”
Requested what he hoped to see from Trump’s second time period, he stated: “It comes down to ‘the economy, stupid.’ We need less government getting in the way of progress.”
John Sutphin, 67, traveled from Crimson Financial institution, New Jersey, for the inauguration. He stated he was not deterred when the occasion was closed to the general public due to an anticipated bitter winter storm.
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“I do understand politics and I understand that there’s two different parties, and I understand everything. But the country has not been going in the right direction,” he stated.
“The economy, the wars, the hostages, everything has just been America has been soft, OK, and Mr. Donald Trump, he is willing to change that,” he added.
Did he ever think about that Trump could be again within the White Home, after the assault on the Capitol, the court docket circumstances, the convictions?
“Look, there’s no politician that is 100%, OK? They’re all liars and they’re all cheaters. But who’s the best for America and who’s the best for our country? Donald Trump is the man,” he answered.
Crowds of individuals in pink hats swarmed the snowy streets as night time fell. These supporters who didn’t make it into the sector crammed into foyer bars of totally booked resorts throughout the capital, chanting “USA! USA!” as they watched the rally on tv.
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Trump wrapped up his rally by dancing onstage with the Village Individuals (REUTERS)
Trump concluded his speech by promising the “four greatest years in American history.”
“We will fight fight fight, and we will win win win.”
He ended with a bodily promise that the following 4 years could be as bizarre, if not weirder, than the primary 4. At his command, the Village Individuals joined him on stage for a rendition of a music that has grow to be a characteristic at his rallies through the years.
Trump danced his now-infamous dance to the YMCA, and the group went wild.
