Donald Trump temporarily escapes from the dock on Wednesday to hold two major campaign meetings, his first since the start of his trial in New York.
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The former Republican president, candidate for the White House, is taking advantage of a brief break in criminal hearings to travel to Wisconsin, where he is holding a meeting early in the afternoon.
This rural state in the north of the country will be one of the most contested during his duel with Joe Biden in November.
Donald Trump will continue with a second campaign meeting, at 10:00 p.m. GMT, organized, as usual, on the tarmac of a Michigan airport.
This setting allows the Republican to land directly at the foot of the stage with his personal plane, while patriotic music is played, before directly launching his event — to the greatest pleasure of his fans.
Two meetings and as many opportunities, according to Donald Trump’s campaign team, to “draw the contrast” between his first term “and the failed presidency” of his Democratic rival.
But also for the former leader to get a breath of fresh air — far from the Manhattan court where he has been on trial for two weeks for a case of payments to a pornographic film star.
“Sleeping Don”
The trial of Donald Trump is certainly historic, but it has everything to displease him.
The comings and goings of the tempestuous septuagenarian in court already seem to have entered into a form of routine.
The Republican thus launches and closes each day of hearing with on-the-spot statements, during which, annoyed, he evokes pell-mell his legal setbacks, the economic situation of the United States, his wife’s birthday, and the temperature , “icy”, it seems, of the court.
He then enters the courtroom, through a glass door, surrounded by metal barriers. Reduced de facto to silence, the tribune, known for his escapades, showed no emotion. Faced with the ball of witnesses participating in his trial, Donald Trump sometimes appears to be bored, or even to doze off.
It is clear that his clan, previously so united, is also showing cracks: only his son Eric has so far come to support him in person in court.
“He hates being in court, where he is just another defendant,” says political scientist Larry Sabato. “He has no control.” A status that Judge Juan Merchan constantly reminds him of.
During a recess on Tuesday, the Republican was seen sighing for a long time.
The billionaire’s setbacks are a hit with Joe Biden’s campaign team, which now gives the Republican the nickname “Sleeping Don.” A form of return to sender, Donald Trump having given his rival the nickname “Sleepy Joe” a long time ago.
This trial also coincides with Joe Biden’s advance in the polls since March, with the two candidates now neck and neck.
Red caps
But Donald Trump and his supporters also hope to take advantage of the media attention surrounding his criminal trial, counting on the fact that it offers him an amplified platform for campaigning.
It is with this idea in mind that the Republican is traveling to Wisconsin and Michigan on Wednesday.
Donald Trump has not organized any of his emblematic rallies since the start of his trial: the only one he had planned was canceled due to the weather.
However, it is well known that the Republican draws his energy from his major meetings.
On stage, Donald Trump, 77, launches into diatribes, sketches dance steps, throws his famous red caps to the crowd.
In one of his favorite numbers, the showman mocks his rival’s age – although only four years separate them – and plays a haggard, distraught Joe Biden, unable to get off the stage.
A way for the accused Trump to remind us that his rival also juggles his share of difficulties, linked to his age.
