Former President Donald Trump is set to address the Libertarian National Convention in Washington, D.C. later this month in an effort to broaden his voter base beyond traditional Republican supporters. Trump expressed his admiration for Libertarians, describing them as independent and thoughtful thinkers, and emphasized the importance of working together to advance freedom and liberty for all Americans.
Trump highlighted the potential impact of Libertarians aligning with the Republican Party, suggesting that such a partnership could secure a decisive victory in the upcoming election. He underscored the need to avoid another term characterized by what he termed as 'death, destruction, and incompetence.'
The convention coincides with Trump's intensified campaign against independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has positioned himself as an alternative for disaffected Democrats and Republicans seeking an option outside of the two major parties. Kennedy has expressed his support for the Libertarian Party, aiming to broaden his appeal and secure ballot access across all 50 states.
Trump's super PAC launched attacks against Kennedy, portraying him as a radical leftist and criticizing his policy positions. Despite publicly downplaying the impact of Kennedy's candidacy on his own prospects, Trump has been actively engaging in negative rhetoric against the independent candidate.
The Libertarian Party, in a statement, expressed their excitement at having a former President address their convention and outlined their intention to share their top policy priorities with Trump. Party officials see this as an opportunity to influence the policy positions of a potential future President.
Angela McArdle, the chair of the Libertarian Party, emphasized the significance of having a major party candidate participate in their convention after years of striving for such recognition. The party aims to leverage this opportunity to promote their message of liberty and engage with a broader audience.
