24 February 2024 , 21:59
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Donald Trump called back to his past as host of the Apprentice, telling a crowd at a right-wing conference in Washington to tell Joe Biden: “You’re fired”.
Speaking to thousands of his most loyal supporters at the CPAC conference near Washington DC, he said the November Presidential election would be “Judgement Day” for politicians in Washington.
“To achieve a great future we have to throw off the chains of the corrupt political class,” he said.
“And that starts with telling Joe Biden "You're fired - get the hell out of here".
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Trump kissing the flag (Getty Images)
Trump during his speech in National Harbor, Maryland (ABACA/PA Images)Overnight Mr Trump was expected to romp to victory in the South Carolina Primary, defeating his last Republican rival Nikki Haley in her home state and cementing his place as the party’s nominee for President.
And closing the three-day rally, which hosted far-right speakers and conspiracy theorists, as well as speeches from Liz Truss and Nigel Farage, Mr Trump laid out a bleak vision of the future for America if he isn’t returned to office.
He said: “If crooked Joe Biden and his thugs win in 2024 the worst is yet to come. Our country will sink to levels that are unimaginable.”
Earlier at the conference, Trump supporters told this newspaper to expect a violent uprising if he loses the election.
Trump is expected to clinch the Republican nomination in South Carolina (Getty Images)“If it was like 2020 I think there'll be probably, likely, a civil war. Or some kind of revolution,” Carina Hunt, from Texas said.
Margaret Kochman from Long Island, New York added: ”We're headed for a revolution. That's what we are heading for.
“They're already taking up arms, right? They already are arming them themselves."
Mr Trump defended his supporters who were jailed for storming the Capitol Building, just across the river from the conference on January 6 2021.
"They went to protest a rigged election and they've been sentenced to years in prison," he said.
He claimed that "In 2020, they cheated like dogs," prompting cries of "they stole it" from the whipped up crowd.
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Trump hugged a flag first thing on stage (Gripas Yuri/ABACA/REX/Shutterstock)
Trump surrounded by supporters (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)Mr Trump faces a string of legal battles between now and November, including a $464 million fraud case, and a federal case related to his keeping classified documents after leaving office.
But Mr Trump painted himself as an innocent man, persecuted by the Biden White House as a political opponent.
“I am a dissident,” he said. “Remember this, I've been indicted more than Alfonse Capone.
“If he had dinner with you, if he didn't like the smile on your face, he thought you were mocking him, you would be dead before you got home and said hello to your wife.
Trump will likely go up against Democrat and incumbent President Joe Biden (Getty Images)“I’ve been indicted more times than him for nothing, or as I say respectfully for the people from foreign countries, for b******t.”
While waiting for Mr Trump to take the stage - 52 minutes late - the rammed ballroom was treated to ear-splitting warm-up songs ahead of the ex-president’s arrival, including Metallica’s Enter Sandman, Abba’s Dancing Queen and The Smiths’ Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.
"I loved it," said Blake Zumma from Texas after the speech. "I loved it. I mean, I think he's very entertaining and energetic. And I just like to watch him."
It's the third time Ms Zumma has seen Mr Trump speak, and she came as part of a group who had dressed up in bright T-shirts spelling out TRUMP for the occasion. She added: "Today's was so comical. I liked it all. I mean, I like how he hops around."
Drag performer Ryan Woods, otherwise known as Miss MAGA USA agreed the ex president had seemed "youthful and enthusiastic."
He said: "i have no idea how he does jt, he has way more energy than me. He has more energy than a 14 year old."
Asked whether he'd been comfortable with the anti-trans rhetoric used by many speakers at the conference, Mr Woods said: "Nobody cares if an adult person is trans. Who cares, live your life, get a boob job.
"I'm a libertarian at heart. And so live your life, but stay the heck away from children."