Former President Donald Trump was met with boos from the audience at the Libertarian National Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington over the weekend. The moment came after he requested to be nominated and for Libertarian votes, but audible boos were heard throughout the speech according to attendees.
Trump is making efforts to appeal to various voting blocs, beyond his base, in hopes of securing votes against President Joe Biden or a third-party candidate.
Trump’s appearance at the event was historic, as it marked the first time a major U.S. political party’s presumptive nominee addressed the convention.
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Libertarians advocate for small government and cutting or eliminating taxes at every opportunity.
Angela McArdle, the chair of the Libertarian National Committee, defended the decision to have Trump speak at the convention, stating it was to bring more attention to the Libertarian party and their attempt to get on the presidential debate stage. She mentioned that Trump was addressing specific grievances of the Libertarian party.
McArdle mentioned, “For the first time in history, one of the major party’s presidential candidates wants to come speak to us at our national convention. That’s because people are starting to recognize that we are the most powerful voting bloc in the country.”
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke before a crowd at the convention about issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and constitutional protections.
Candidates find it crucial to appear at the convention after a Gallup survey revealed that 45% of Americans identify as politically independent, surpassing both Republicans and Democrats.
