
During a private, closed-door donor retreat on Saturday afternoon, Donald Trump made a comparison between President Joe Biden‘s administration and the Nazi Germany secret police force.
Speaking about his legal issues, the former president bemoaned the recent indictments of several of his former top aides in Arizona as well as the identification of eleven alleged phony electors from the 2020 election. He also attacked the prosecutors in the cases.
Trump allegedly stated, “These people are running a Gestapo administration,” according to luncheon audio that NBC News obtained. Furthermore, it’s all they have. And they believe that’s the only way they can prevail.
“After being indicted, I decided it was time to take off the gloves,” Trump continued, branding Biden as “the worst president in our nation’s history.” He is blatantly inept. He is extremely dishonest. He is the contender from Manchuria.”
The former president went on to say that he is not overly bothered by his legal issues.
“You tend to choke if you care too much.” And to be honest, I don’t mind. Simply put, life is life,” he remarked.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that he was taken aback by the indictment.
“Holy shit, I just got indicted,” I exclaimed after receiving the indictment. Me. “I was indicted,” Trump remarked.
Additionally, he referred to Jack Smith, the special counsel who is pursuing two federal cases against Trump, as a “deranged” and “evil thug.”
A request for comment was not immediately answered by the Biden campaign.
At the Republican National Committee’s spring retreat, which is being attended by hundreds of donors, Trump delivered his speech on Saturday afternoon at his Mar-a-Lago Club.
Due to his four days a week attendance in a Manhattan courtroom for his criminal trial regarding hush money payments made to an adult film star during the 2016 election, the former president has had little time to campaign.
Numerous possible vice presidential contenders will be present at the retreat this weekend, including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota.
According to NBC News, Trump is still in the early phases of selecting a running mate. Prominent candidates have not yet been sent comprehensive surveys or other information requests to aid in the creation of a shortlist.
Trump invited all of these attendees—aside from Noem, who left early, according to two people who were present—as well as a number of other elected officials, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to the luncheon stage.
As the luncheon came to a close, NBC News was informed by a Republican source that “there were a lot of people onstage.”
The audio recording purports that Trump commended Stefanik for her role in confronting former Harvard University President Claudine Gay, who resigned due to pressure over her testimony at a congressional hearing on antisemitism on campus and accusations that she had plagiarized academic work.
“You ruined her,” declared Trump. “She performed so brilliantly that everyone predicted she would run for vice president.”
As he promoted his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” in 2016, Vance, a well-known Trump critic, “turned out to be incredible,” the former president remarked. This month, the senator and Trump are expected to host a fundraiser in Ohio.
About Vance, Trump remarked, “You know he wasn’t a supporter of mine.” “He made statements like, ‘This guy is a complete failure!'”
Trump said that Scott “did a good job.” Scott’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination ended before the Iowa caucuses. But He’s amazing in the role of surrogate.
You are aware of what he said to me? “I never felt at ease talking about myself,” he said. That has a pleasant quality to it. I never found it bothersome to discuss myself. I’m the complete opposite.
In addition, Trump mentioned Rubio and Donalds, two Florida candidates he may choose for vice president. Voters are not allowed to select both a president and a vice president from their home states under the Constitution.
Despite a small issue, Trump stated that Rubio is “a talented guy” and “absolutely” being considered. To be honest with you, I have a small issue with these Florida guys, including that one guy named Byron.
Burgum, a former software entrepreneur, attracted praise for his personal wealth and was the first of Trump’s prominent rivals to support him.
Trump remarked, “He’s a very rich man; he’s made a lot of money.” “I would say, ‘That guy is really impressive,'” consistently.
In addition, Trump called Noem “someone that I love,” even though the South Dakota governor was not present on stage. Noem has been under fire since disclosing in a book that she was going to publish that she shot and killed a family dog.
“She has been by my side and a supporter for a long time, and I have been her supporter as well,” Trump continued.
Trump added that he would let anyone up to the stage who immediately donated $1 million. He was approached by two people, one of whom said, “Donald J. Trump is the person that God has chosen.”