Former President Donald J. Trump made a fiery return to the campaign trail on Wednesday, urging college presidents to crack down on protests over the war in Gaza and praising police actions at recent demonstrations.
Speaking at a rally in Waukesha, Wis., Trump called protesters “raging lunatics” and suggested they were paid by liberal groups to distract from other issues. He commended New York City police for arresting pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University and called for similar actions at universities nationwide.
Trump and fellow Republicans are using the protests as a wedge issue to sow discontent among President Biden’s base and paint him as a weak leader. Trump also downplayed the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017, comparing it to the campus protests.
Despite facing a criminal trial in New York, where he is accused of falsifying business records, Trump has been actively campaigning. He criticized the trial as a sham and complained about the judge, whom he called “crooked.”
In his speech, Trump also touched on immigration, abortion, and the economy, criticizing Biden’s policies and stoking fears about the direction of the country. He emphasized the importance of winning battleground states like Michigan and Wisconsin in future elections.
The rally marked Trump’s first significant return to the campaign trail since his trial began, and he showed no signs of slowing down despite the legal challenges he faces. His energetic demeanor stood in stark contrast to reports of him appearing dour or asleep in court.
As Trump continues to rally his base and push his political agenda, the country remains divided over his leadership and the direction of the nation. With the 2024 election on the horizon, Trump’s influence and impact on the political landscape remain significant.
