An unapologetic Donald Trump clung to old complaints during the first broadcast town hall of the 2024 U.S. presidential race on Wednesday, emphasizing from the start that he has no intention of running a more disciplined campaign for his third White House quest.
Trump drew laughter from a New Hampshire audience during a contentious 70-minute broadcast when he mocked writer E. Jean Carroll’s account of his sexual abuse of her, repeated falsehoods about his 2020 election loss, said he would pardon many of his supporters convicted of taking part in a Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol, and called CNN moderator Kaitlan Collins a “nasty person.”
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Responding to questions from Collins and members of the Saint Anselm College audience, Trump made no attempt to provide more moderate viewpoints on subjects, which political observers think is critical to widening his appeal to a broader swath of Republicans.
When asked by Collins whether he would admit he lost to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, Trump re-enforced false accusations that the election was rigged against him, dismissing her attempts to correct the record.
“That was a rigged election,” Trump declared, adding that anyone who disagreed was “stupid.”
Donald Trump
When his supporters sought to prevent Congress from ratifying the election result, Trump, the Republican front-runner, declined to express regret for the deadly attack on the United States Capitol, and he repeated his plan to pardon individuals involved if voters returned him to the White House in 2024. Trump and Collins often interrupted one other, with Collins refuting several of the former president’s incorrect allegations.
Trump’s performance, according to Stu Rothenberg, a nonpartisan political expert, was most likely a warm-up for his 2024 campaign.
“It was classic Trump – it was Donald Trump from 2015 right up until now: the Big Lie, the outrageous style, demeaning individuals, mocking them,” said Rothenberg, senior editor of the Inside Elections newsletter. “He hasn’t changed, and he won’t change.” It was a preview of the following year and a half.”
Trump received a standing ovation from the gathering of Republicans and independent voters who plan to vote in the Republican primary. New Hampshire is an early nomination state that might be crucial in Trump’s effort to win the election in November 2024.
Some cheered when he praised his Jan. 6 address and the circumstances that led up to the Capitol violence.
“I’ve never spoken in front of such a large crowd, and it was because they believed the election was rigged.” They came with love in their hearts. “That was incredible, and it was a gorgeous day,” he remarked.
In response to Trump’s statements, Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison issued a statement in which she called Trump a “dangerous, extreme candidate who seeks to undermine democracy.” Biden attempted to raise funds through the event.
“Do you want that for four more years?” If you don’t, please contribute to our campaign,” Biden said on Twitter.
Collins attempted to fact-check Trump’s claims in real time, which occasionally resulted in the two shouting over each other as Trump, who often sticks to conservative media channels, refused to back down. Trump made his first visit on CNN since 2016.
A federal jury determined Trump sexually molested Carroll in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the 1990s, then ruined her image by calling her accusations “a hoax” and “a lie.” It said that he must pay her $5 million in restitution. Trump’s lawyer stated that he will file an appeal.
“What kind of woman meets someone and brings them up, and then you’re playing hanky panky in a locker room?” Trump stated, one of several harsh remarks about Carroll that drew cheers and laughs. He referred to her as a “wack job.”
Carroll made a statement following the decision on Tuesday, stating, “Today, the world finally knows the truth… This triumph is for all women who have suffered because they were not believed.”
Trump stood by comments he made in a 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape in which he boasted about grabbing women by the genitals and indicated celebrities may have their way with them. The remarks were used against Trump throughout his trial.
“And you want me to retract that?” I can’t change my mind since it’s true. “I said it’s been true for a million years, roughly a million years, maybe a little bit longer,” Trump added. “I’m not talking about myself; I’m talking about famous people, stars.”
Nathan Layne and Tim Reid contributed reporting, while Ross Colvin and Howard Goller edited the piece.