Trump booed at Libertarian Party convention while they choose nominee.
Former President Donald Trump faced a challenging crowd at the Libertarian Party convention on Saturday night, as he tried to win over Libertarian voters critical of his policies on COVID-19, immigration, the drug war, federal deficits, warrantless spying, and more. The event, held at the Washington Hilton hotel, featured candidates vying for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination, such as Chase Oliver, Michael Rectenwald, Charles Ballay, and Lars Mapstead.
Trump’s presence at the convention raised eyebrows, as he attempted to sway Libertarian voters away from their party’s nominee or independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who also spoke at the event. As Trump took the stage, he was met with a mixture of boos from Libertarians and cheers from some Republican supporters donning “Make America Great” hats and T-shirts.
In his speech, Trump praised the “fierce champions of freedom” in the room and criticized President Joe Biden, calling him a “tyrant” and the “worst president in U.S. history.” However, his appeals for Libertarian endorsement and votes were met with jeers and criticism from the audience.
Libertarians, known for their advocacy of small government and individual freedoms, have long been wary of Trump, with many objecting to his invitation to speak at the convention. Some viewed his presence as a distraction from Libertarian causes and candidates, while others welcomed the media attention he brought to the event.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who previously ran for president in the Republican primary and endorsed Trump, also spoke at the convention but faced boos from the audience when he mentioned Trump’s name. Despite the hostile reception, Trump made jokes about the criminal indictments against him in an attempt to connect with the crowd.
As the boos continued, Trump challenged the crowd’s desire to win, referencing Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson’s 2016 performance and urging them to consider alternative candidates like the Libertarian nominee, Kennedy Jr., or other third-party contenders. He also promised to appoint a Libertarian to his Cabinet if elected, though the crowd remained skeptical.
However, Trump did receive cheers when he pledged to commute the prison sentence of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, a website used to sell illegal drugs. Many Libertarians support Ulbricht’s release due to concerns about government overreach and the War on Drugs. Despite this promise, the audience remained largely critical of Trump throughout his speech.
Trump’s attempts to appeal to the crowd by positioning himself as an opponent of Biden were met with chants and signs calling to “End the Fed!” and criticizing wannabe dictators, with one person being escorted out by security. Despite the pushback, Trump persisted with his speech, vowing to extend a hand of friendship in opposition to Biden.
At the convention, Libertarian candidates like Rectenwald and Oliver openly voiced their disapproval of Trump, with Oliver labeling him a war criminal unworthy of sharing the stage. The atmosphere remained tense as Trump supporters were asked to make way for convention delegates, underscoring the divided sentiment towards the former president.
Overall, Trump’s appearance at the Libertarian Party convention highlighted the deep divide between his loyal base and skeptical Libertarian voters. While some attendees were receptive to certain promises made by Trump, many still harbored reservations about his candidacy and policies, underscoring the challenges he faces in broadening his appeal beyond traditional Republican circles.
