Trump's Beachfront Rally on Jersey Shore Amid Legal Battle in New York

Former President Donald Trump made a campaign comeback by holding a beachfront rally on the Jersey Shore in Wildwood, South New Jersey. This event marked his third rally since his hush money trial in New York began four weeks ago. Unlike his previous rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin, New Jersey is not a battleground state, as Trump lost to President Joe Biden by about 16 points in the 2020 election.

Trump confidently told the crowd in Wildwood, located in Cape May County, New Jersey, that he believed he could secure a victory in the state. This county has been known to be more supportive of Republicans, with Trump winning it in both 2016 with 58.4% of the vote and in 2020 with 57.5%.

During his speech, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee announced his intentions to compete in New Jersey, stating, “We’re expanding the electoral map because we’re going to officially play in the state of New Jersey. We’re going to win the state of New Jersey.”

Some Republicans interviewed by CNN before the rally expressed doubts about the campaign's choice to use one of Trump's rare days off from court to campaign in a state that has consistently voted Democratic in the last seven presidential elections.

However, a Trump campaign official defended the decision by stating that they saw an opportunity to take advantage of the nearby media market in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania and secure local TV coverage in Philadelphia. They anticipated that the audience would consist of individuals from both the city and suburbs of Philadelphia, as Wildwood is only about an hour and a half drive away.

During his speech, the ex-president commended North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum for his expertise in energy and excitedly hinted at something big coming up.

He praised Burgum, saying, "You won't find anybody better than this gentleman in terms of his knowledge...he probably knows more about energy than anybody I know." Trump urged the crowd to prepare for something exciting, emphasizing Burgum's remarkable abilities.

Burgum, who ran for president this cycle but paused his campaign due to lack of significant support, is among those rumored to be a potential running mate for Trump.

Saturday was not Trump’s first visit to the city for campaigning. In January 2020, Trump organized a rally in Wildwood to show his support for the city’s congressman, Rep. Jeff Van Drew. In a surprising move in 2019 during Trump's first impeachment trial, Van Drew switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican and expressed his unwavering support for the then-president.

Trump has stayed close with Van Drew over the years and consistently applauds his party switch, which he sees as a sign of Democrats becoming disillusioned with the left. Van Drew, once a Democrat, is now spearheading Trump's campaign in New Jersey and addressed the crowd at the rally held last Saturday.

During the rally, Trump criticized his opponent in the November election while reaffirming his backing for Israel in the Gaza conflict, despite acknowledging that this stance may not be politically favorable.

The crowd was informed by the former president that Biden had made a significant betrayal of an American ally by suggesting that the US would stop sending weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to launch a major attack on Rafah.

Trump expressed his disapproval of "Crooked Joe's" actions, labeling it as one of the worst betrayals of an American ally in history. He voiced his support for Israel's efforts in combating terrorism, regardless of the political consequences. Trump emphasized the importance of doing what is morally right.

Despite Trump and his campaign’s claims that he would use every moment not in court to campaign, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has not fully utilized his free time for campaigning. Instead, he has been busy fundraising, such as speaking at a luncheon at his Mar-a-Lago club during the Republican National Committee’s annual retreat and playing golf at his Bedminster club.

Trump criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor in the hush money case against him, and called the case a sham.

Trump criticized the Biden show trial in New York, accusing the radical Democrat district attorney, Fat Alvin, of corruption. He also baselessly claimed that the presiding judge is highly conflicted.

Some of Trump's associates expressed surprise at the lack of traditional campaigning during the trial, considering the upcoming general election. They questioned the decision to spend a weekend in New Jersey instead of focusing on key battlegrounds for the 2024 election.

"It's a strange choice," one person commented. "But that's just Trump being himself. He has a special affection for New Jersey and Atlantic City."

According to Republican strategist Matt Gorman, who previously worked as a senior adviser for South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott's presidential campaign, the location of Wildwood being close to Trump's trial in Manhattan and his golf club in Bedminster probably influenced his decision as well.

Gorman mentioned that it's a good opportunity for him to visit Trump Country near Bedminster, which is likely more cost-effective than organizing an event in a swing state. The headline and story have been revised to include new updates.

Editor's P/S:

The article captures the essence of Trump's recent campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, highlighting his confidence in securing a victory in a state that has historically voted Democratic. Despite doubts expressed by some Republicans, Trump's campaign saw an opportunity to leverage the nearby media market in Pennsylvania and attract potential voters from Philadelphia. The rally also showcased Trump's unwavering support for Israel and his criticism of the Biden administration's stance on the Gaza conflict.

However, the article also reveals a discrepancy between Trump's claims of using every available moment to campaign and his actual actions. Instead of focusing on traditional campaigning, Trump has engaged in fundraising and recreational activities. This raises questions about the effectiveness of his campaign strategy and whether it will be sufficient to mobilize voters in the upcoming election. Additionally, the article sheds light on Trump's special affection for New Jersey and Atlantic City, which may have influenced his decision to hold the rally in Wildwood.