The Facts
Former Pres. Donald Trump on Saturday took the stage in Waco, Texas for the first rally of his 2024 presidential campaign. During his speech, he railed against a host of investigations into him that are taking place across the country.
Trump told his supporters they “will be vindicated and proud” when the “thugs and criminals who are corrupting our justice system will be defeated, discredited and totally disgraced.”
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump made the case for his innocence forcefully in the face of Biden and Democrats weaponizing the Justice Department to hurt the former president’s chances at returning to the White House. The Deep State has been colluding against Trump for years and the next election will be a chance to finally defeat it and preserve the US.
Democratic narrative
Trump’s rhetoric has dangerously riled up hatred of the US government and those investigating him — even leading to a death threat against Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. Trump made things worse by choosing Waco, which was a clear message that he aligns with the militia movement and its dangerous anti-government conspiracy theories. Trump's recklessness could lead to even more violence.
