2024 Elections
‘No Wannabe Dictators!’: Donald Trump Booed at Libertarian Convention
Former President Donald Trump faced an unprecedented and hostile reception at the Libertarian National Convention
Washington, D.C. — As he attempted to court the party's support for his 2024 presidential bid, the event, held at the Washington Hilton, was marked by a cacophony of boos, jeers, and heckles from the audience, underscoring the deep-seated skepticism and animosity many Libertarians harbor towards Trump.
Trump, who is accustomed to the adulation of his loyal supporters at his rallies, encountered a starkly different atmosphere at the Libertarian gathering. As he took the stage, the crowd erupted in a mix of boos and cheers, with some attendees shouting insults and decrying his policies. One particularly vocal Libertarian even shouted, "Donald Trump should have taken a bullet!" before Trump's arrival, highlighting the intensity of the opposition he faced.
The Libertarian Party, known for its advocacy of limited government and individual freedoms, has long criticized Trump for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly his role in the rapid development of vaccines and his perceived failure to prevent public health restrictions on the unvaccinated. These grievances were prominently voiced during Trump's speech, with many in the audience accusing him of trampling on their rights and running up towering federal deficits.
Despite the hostile reception, Trump attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, urging Libertarians to unite with him to defeat President Joe Biden in the upcoming election. "The fact is we should not be fighting each other," Trump said. "If Joe Biden gets back in, there will be no more liberty for anyone in our country. Combine with us in a partnership – we're asking that of the Libertarians. We must work together. Combine with us."
However, his appeals were largely met with boos and jeers. Trump's attempts to align himself with Libertarian values, including his promise to commute the life sentence of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road website, were met with mixed reactions. While the promise to free Ulbricht drew significant applause from the crowd, many remained unconvinced by Trump's overtures.
Throughout his 34-minute speech, one of his shortest campaign appearances to date, Trump faced continuous interruptions and heckling. At one point, he joked about his four criminal indictments, saying, "If I wasn't a Libertarian before, I sure as hell am a Libertarian now." This attempt at humor did little to quell the crowd's discontent, with many continuing to shout insults and accusations.
The Libertarian Party, which typically garners around 3% or less of the national vote, could play a crucial role in swing states in the upcoming election. Trump's appearance at the convention, an unusual move for a presumptive Republican nominee, underscored his campaign's concern about the potential impact of third-party candidates, particularly Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent and addressed the convention the previous day.
Kennedy, known for his opposition to vaccines and mandates, has been seen as a potential spoiler in the election, drawing votes away from both Trump and Biden. Trump's campaign has ramped up attacks on Kennedy, labeling him a "fake" anti-vaccination proponent, in an effort to mitigate this threat.
Despite the tumultuous atmosphere, Trump continued to press his case, emphasizing his shared policy positions with Libertarians on issues such as taxes and the size of government. He also pledged to appoint a Libertarian to his cabinet if he wins the election, a promise that was met with cries of "bullshit!" from the audience.
Libertarian leaders, including party chair Angela McArdle, had urged attendees to listen to Trump's speech with an open mind, but the deep divisions within the party were evident. Some Libertarians turned their backs on Trump as he spoke, while others clashed with his supporters, leading to several individuals being escorted out of the venue.
In the aftermath of the speech, Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver expressed his belief that it was a mistake to invite Trump, but he was proud that Libertarians had heckled the former president. "I don't like having a war criminal on this stage. I don't feel he deserves a spot on this stage," Oliver said.
Another Libertarian presidential candidate, Michael Rectenwald, acknowledged the party's differences with Trump and his violation of libertarian principles. Despite this, some pro-Trump supporters attempted to drown out Rectenwald's speech with chants of "We want Trump."
As the Libertarian National Convention drew to a close, it was clear that Trump's attempt to court the party's support had largely fallen flat. The event highlighted the significant challenges he faces in expanding his political appeal beyond his core base of supporters, both on the left and right sides of the political spectrum.