Indicted, tried, nothing helps: Trump supporters stand to attention for their candidate

Everything will slide on him and he will only emerge stronger, his supporters believe in this unwaveringly. Less than 48 hours before his first criminal trial, Donald Trump can count on the fervor of his unconditional supporters on Saturday. Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

It is in this locality, located in a crucial state for the American presidential election on November 5, that the Republican Party candidate is holding a campaign meeting in the evening.

For the occasion, the village was adorned with American flags and “Trump 2024” banners fluttering in a cold wind and light rain.

Nothing that could discourage the Trumpists. From the end of the morning, hundreds of cars flocked in a festive atmosphere to the enormous parking lot reserved for the public. In large black letters, a restaurant chain appealed to the real estate mogul: “President Trump, come eat a burger on the house.”

Ted, 44, came with his daughter. They live in the Schnecksville area and this is the first time they are going to see Donald Trump at a meeting.

Supporters of former US president and 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, April 13, 2024 © AFP – TIMOTHY A. CLARY

“It's important to show him our support, but also to show that the judicial system is corrupt, that we see it and that we will not let anyone fool us about it”, says this executive in a company, who prefers not to give his last name.

A speech that echoes that of Mr. Trump, 77 years old. On Saturday, the latter again attacked on his Truth Social platform the judge who will preside over his trial on Monday, calling him “totally corrupt”.

Historical first for a former president, the leader of the American right will appear in criminal court, for falsification of accounting documents linked to payments to obtain the silence of a former porn star just before the 2016 presidential election.

– Trump “crucified” –

Donald Trump supporters in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, April 13, 2024 © AFP – TIMOTHY A. CLARY

For Ted, it's obvious: the affairs surrounding the ex-president are exaggerated, even fabricated, probably to “prevent him from running and also bankrupt him”.

Edward X Young, 64, who works in finance in New Jersey, speaks his mind bluntly.

“They are persecuting Donald Trump. They are crucifying Donald Trump. He is being transformed into a martyr,” he says.

“And the Democrats think they're winning” but “all they're doing is making us very, very angry,” he says.

Mr. Young assures that in the past, he considered himself a centrist and judged Democratic candidates as Republicans “on the basis of their merits”. But Donald Trump's legal setbacks, seen as relentlessness, changed the situation for him.

A vendor displays a “Even My Dog Hates Biden” T-shirt before a Donald Trump rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, April 13, 2024 © AFP – TIMOTHY A. CLARY

Whether the former head of state is indicted, tried or sentenced, that will change nothing for Randy Thomas, 57, who also came from New Jersey to show his support.

“You know, he loves this country. He didn't need to do this job (president, editor's note). He's a rich man,” said Mr. Thomas, who worked in a brewery before retiring.

So he will follow him to the end, and says he is ready to take to the streets if Donald Trump is sentenced to prison .

“But it won't happen, it won't happen”, he smiles.

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