After a long week in court, former President Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore, where he is expected to draw what his campaign is calling a “mega crowd.” The rally will take place in the southern New Jersey resort town of Wildwood, approximately 150 miles south of the New York City courthouse where Trump has been attending his felony hush money trial. Thousands of loyalists, donning Trump’s iconic “Make America Great Again” hats and t-shirts, have gathered on the beachfront to greet the former Republican president. The event is designed to showcase Trump’s ability to draw large crowds, a characteristic he is known for as a presidential candidate.
Despite his legal woes, which include three other unrelated criminal cases, Trump continues to accuse the Biden administration and Democratic officials in New York of using the legal system to hinder his return to the White House. Prosecutors allege that Trump broke the law to conceal an affair with a porn actor that could have harmed his first presidential bid. While Trump will likely address his legal situation during the rally, a judge’s gag order and the threat of jail will limit his ability to publicly comment on witnesses, jurors, and others connected to the New York trial.
The gathering in deep-blue New Jersey comes less than six months before Election Day, making it a critical moment for Trump’s campaign. His legal challenges have become a central issue in the race, and he aims to demonstrate his resilience and popularity among his supporters.