As the world waits to see if former President Donald Trump’s will be indicted in New York, some of his most die-hard supporters have stationed themselves near his home base in Palm Beach.
Pictures and video posted on social media showed some Trump supporters near his Mar-a-Lago resort and residence Tuesday morning. There were several large pro-Trump flags, and many more smaller Trump flags and American flags, according to video posted on Twitter by a WPEC-Ch. 12 and WPTV-Ch. 5 journalists.
Some demonstrators told WPEC and WPLG-Ch. 10 that they had spent the night at the gathering point to show their support for Trump.
In notices issued Monday, the Town of Palm Beach warned people to expect traffic congestion near the traffic circle at the Bath & Tennis Court from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and told drivers to seek an alternate route. That spot is immediately south of Mar-a-Lago.
Trump’s plane, with his name emblazoned on the side, was at Palm Beach International Airport at noon Tuesday, suggesting he was still in South Florida.
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The prospect of a large demonstration was stoked by Trump, who wrote Saturday on social media that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday and called on his supporters to protest.
Trump’s representatives later said he was citing media reports and leaks. There was no indication that prediction would come true, though the grand jury appeared to take an important step forward by hearing Monday from a witness favorable to Trump, presumably so prosecutors could ensure the panel had a chance to consider any testimony that could be remotely seen as exculpatory.
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A Manhattan grand jury has been investigating hush-money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump.
“IT’S TIME!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social social media feed. “WE JUST CAN’T ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEY’RE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA!PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!”
In another post, speaking about himself, Trump wrote: “THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!”
It is unclear whether Trump’s supporters would heed his protest call or if he retains the same persuasive power he held as president. Trump’s posts on Truth Social generally receive far less attention than he used to get on Twitter, but he maintains a deeply loyal base. The aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot, in which hundreds of Trump loyalists were arrested and prosecuted in federal court, may also have dampened the passion among supporters for confrontation.
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Trump, 76, is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. An indictment, and the reaction of his supporters and other voters, could change the trajectory of the campaign.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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