Topline
President Donald Trump on Thursday capped off his speech to close the GOP’s midterm convention by leading the audience into a pledge that referred to him as the “greatest President” and suggested they should vote even if they are not registered, after he baselessly accused the Democrats of cheating to win elections.
Members of the crowd hold their hands up as they make a pledge with US President Donald Trump during the second day of the Republican National Committee midterm convention.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
Trump asked the audience to raise their right hand and led them into a pledge to the “greatest president in the history of the United States” to go out and vote in November for the midterms.
With his right hand raised, the president said his supporters should go out with family and friends to vote and said: “I don’t care if I’m registered or not, I’m going to try to cheat like hell like they do.”
The line about cheating drew laughter from the audience before Trump attacked the Democrats, alleging without evidence, “there has never been bigger cheaters.”
Trump then made the crowd swear they will go out and vote in September, with the attendees echoing his remarks, and capped it off with “So help me God.”
The president quipped that the attendees “can vote Democrat” if they want, but he doesn’t believe there’s “one person in this room” who would do that and added: “If you vote you’re voting Republican.”
What Else Did Trump Say In His Speech?
In his speech, the president once again urged his supporters to pretend that he was on the ballot in November. “You gotta do me the biggest favor: pretend I’m on the ticket. I’m on the ticket.” The president then added that this is “going to turn out to be one of the most important elections.” Trump’s decision to make the midterms a referendum about him comes at a time when his approval rating has hit new lows, slipping down to 36%.
Leave a comment