Trump declares upcoming election a 'day of judgment', brands himself a 'proud political dissident'
Donald Trump emerged victorious in the Republican primaries in South Carolina on Saturday, defeating his opponent Nikki Haley in her home state. Prior to the voting, the former president addressed the participants at the Washington Conservative Political Action Conference.
8:10 AM EST, February 25, 2024
"For hard-working Americans, November 5 (the day of the presidential election) will be our new day of liberation. However, for the liars, cheats, crooks, censors, and charlatans who have taken over our government, it will be a day of judgment," Trump declared, to the sound of widespread applause.
The politician advanced, "When we win, the curtain will fall on their corrupt governments and the sun will rise, ushering in a bright new future for America. I stand before you today not only as your former and, hopefully, future President, but as a proud political dissident. I am a dissident," he declared.
Trump's phrase 'day of judgment' can be seen as alarming, considering the events of January 6, 2021, when the Capitol was stormed. In December 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the incursion by Trump supporters constituted a rebellion, implying that his fiery speech to the protestors that day indicated his involvement in the ensuing riot. The then-President had encouraged his supporters to "go to the Capitol and show strength". Trump also stated that if "they don't fight like hell, (…) they will no longer have a country."
It's worth pointing out that in early February, the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing an appeal case by Donald Trump against the decision of Colorado's Supreme Court. The state court, due to the former President's alleged incitement of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, had disqualified him from participating in the primaries and elections in that state.
Trump Claims: The United States is being destroyed
The Reuters agency recalls that just a few days earlier, Trump had compared himself to the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, asserting that, like Navalny, he is being "persecuted for political reasons". This was likely a reference to his numerous court cases.
Trump also addressed the issue of "hordes of illegal newcomers crossing our borders" and warned about the impending "collapse" of the social security and education systems in the USA. "That's the stake of these elections. Our country is being destroyed and the only barrier standing between you and this destruction is me," the former president claimed.
