Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
- Donald Trump faced boos and heckles at the Libertarian National Convention Saturday night.
- When he called Joe Biden a "tyrant" the crowd responded saying "That's you."
- Trump said he would commute the sentence of the founder of Silk Road, a the drug-selling website.
Donald Trump battled through boos and heckles as he addressed the Libertarian National Convention on Saturday night.
There were some signs of support as he took to the stage at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, with a few supporters, sporting MAGA hats and T-shirts, cheering, "USA! USA!" said reports.
But the former president's speech quickly descended into chaos.
When Trump tried to get the Libertarians on side by calling President Joe Biden a "tyrant" and the "worst president in the history of the United States", he was met with cries of: "That's you."
JIM WATSON/Getty Images
Libertarians, who tout small government and individual freedoms, are generally skeptical of Trump.
The former president tried to make light of the fact by referring to the four criminal indictments against him.
"Well, in the last year, I had been indicted by the government on 91 different things, so if I wasn't a Libertarian before, I sure as hell am a Libertarian now," Trump said. "I don't like Joe Biden, I don't throw people in jail for disagreeing with me."
Trump went on to receive a large cheer when he promised to commute the life sentence of Ross Ulbricht, the convicted founder of the drug-selling website Silk Road who has been imprisoned since 2013.
Ulbricht's case was a major topic during the Convention, and many in the crowd held up "Free Ross" signs. Libertarians say his case exemplifies government overreach and the need for criminal justice reforms.
"Now I think you should nominate me or at least vote for me because the Libertarians want to vote for me, and most of them will," Trump yelled over a mix of boos and cheers.
BREAKING: Donald Trump just asked for the Libertarian Party’s vote and the crowd booed him offstage. Retweet so everyone sees this. pic.twitter.com/AVctqAXvmX
— Biden’s Wins (@BidensWins) May 26, 2024
As the heckles continued, Trump hit back, saying, "You don't want to win," adding that many Libertarians want to "keep getting your 3% every four years."
Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson got roughly 3% of the vote in the 2016 presidential elections. Nominee Jo Jorgensen received just over 1% of the national vote in 2020.
"Only if you want to win. Only if you want to win. Maybe you don't want to win. Maybe you don't want to win. If you want to lose, don't do that. Keep getting your 3% every four years."
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 26, 2024
- Trump reacts to boos at Libertarian Party convention after saying they should nominate him pic.twitter.com/NWXTrtzI6g
Despite the pushback, Trump said he had come to the convention "to extend a hand of friendship" with Biden as a common enemy.
That prompted a cry of "We want Trump!" from supporters, but more cries of "End the Fed!" — a common slogan from Libertarians who oppose the Federal Reserve.
One person held a sign saying, "No wannabe dictators!" He was taken away by security.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Trump is the first former president to address the Libertarian Convention, which will select their White House nominee before the Convention ends on Sunday.
This past week has seen an ongoing effort from the former president to reach potential supporters outside his MAGA base. On Thursday, Trump addressed a crowd in the Bronx, New York — a Hispanic and black neighborhood considered a Democratic stronghold.