Former President Donald Trump unleashed a series of attacks on Democrats during a private luncheon at his Mar-a-Lago club, calling President Joe Biden’s administration a “Gestapo administration” and equating it to Nazi Germany. Trump accused the Biden administration of being behind the criminal indictments he is facing, cursing repeatedly throughout his speech, and criticizing special counsel Jack Smith and other prosecutors. The fundraising event, which was the main attraction at the RNC’s annual retreat in Palm Beach, attracted hundreds of attendees who donated $40,000 or more.
During the roughly 90-minute speech, Trump boasted about his recent fundraising numbers and praised potential vice-presidential contenders who were reportedly “begging” to serve as his running mate. He walked onto the stage to the sound of a January 6 anthem featuring people convicted for their roles in the Capitol attack, a song frequently played at his campaign rallies. Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, presented him with a Billboard Music award for a song titled “Justice for All,” which was a top digital sales hit last year.
At the event, Trump offered attendees the opportunity to speak at the podium for $1 million, with two donors eventually taking up the offer. One donor claimed that God chose Trump to lead the country while speaking at the podium. Trump also highlighted efforts to prevent cheating in the upcoming election by RNC chairman Michael Whatley and discussed the need for an attorney general with “courage,” mocking former attorney general William Barr in the process. Barr, who has endorsed Trump despite their past disagreements, has been critical of the former president since leaving his administration.
During his speech, Trump praised former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office on corruption charges in 2009. Trump commuted Blagojevich’s prison sentence in 2020, and the former governor considers himself a “Trumpocrat,” a Democrat who supports Trump. Later that evening, Trump hosted a birthday party for Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, one of his presidential physicians, at Mar-a-Lago. The event also served as a fundraising opportunity, with Trump delivering remarks on his campaign against Biden while in attendance.
