Trump's Last Rally Before Inauguration: Promises, Controversies, and Unconventional Tactics
On Sunday, Donald Trump held his last rally before the inauguration ceremony, set to take place on Monday afternoon. The rally, held at the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington DC near the White House, had a tone and execution reminiscent of his campaign rallies. Trump spoke extensively and in a confusing manner, mixing electoral promises, false claims, and even violent attacks against his opponents.
This event was quite unusual; typically, in the United States, elected presidents do not hold public events close to the inauguration ceremony. Trump likely organized it to speak directly to his supporters, emphasizing the unique nature of his reelection, which came four years after he left office. After the rally, he attended a private dinner organized for his key donors.
On stage alongside him included several guests, such as family members, representatives from the Republican Party, and billionaire close associate Elon Musk. Musk used the platform to discuss his plans to cut public spending and criticized inclusion policies and immigration.
A notable moment in the rally was the participation of The Village People, who sang "YMCA," now a staple of Trump's campaign soundtrack.
During his speech, Trump hinted that one of his first acts as president would be to pardon individuals convicted for the January 6, 2021 attack on Congress, whom he referred to as 'hostages.' Immigration, a key issue of his campaign, was another focal point. He promised, "we will stop illegal immigration once and for all through the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to restore our borders that the world has ever seen."
In discussing immigration, Trump reiterated several false or misleading claims, like the assertion that countries such as Congo and Venezuela had emptied their prisons and sent all inmates to the United States disguised as regular migrants.
He also referenced his earlier decision regarding TikTok, stating that he had saved the platform by issuing an executive order to block a ban that took effect for only hours. Trump’s initial position against TikTok had shifted since his first term.
Amidst the rally, Trump made several misleading claims about his electoral achievements. For instance, he alleged winning the youth vote by 36 points, a claim not corroborated by any major exit polls conducted. In reality, exit polls indicated that the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris performed better among younger voters. Trump also claimed to have won Florida by 13 points, a claim that overlooks several past presidents who achieved better outcomes in that state.
The inauguration ceremony for Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, is set to begin at 10 AM EST. Typically held outdoors, this year’s ceremony will move indoors due to extremely cold temperatures predicted in Washington. The last president to take the oath inside was Ronald Reagan in 1985 due to similar weather conditions.
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