"Not a crime, not a misdemeanor, not an affair." These are the words used by Donald Trump, Saturday, March 25, to proclaim his innocence in Waco (Texas), a highly symbolic place for his first campaign meeting for the US presidential election.

The 76-year-old Republican billionaire, who dreams of "winning" the White House in November 2024, must answer in the court of the State of New York of a case of payment of $ 130,000, just before his victory in the presidential election of November 2016, to an actress of X movies, Stormy Daniels, with whom he would have had an affair.

Donald Trump has been brandishing for more than a week the threat of imminent arrest in New York in connection with this case. The court is trying to determine whether he was guilty of making false statements, an offence, or failing to comply with election finance laws, a criminal offence, by paying the actress money to buy her silence.

To address his fans, the former US president had chosen Waco, in the south of the United States, scene 30 years ago of a deadly assault against a sect opposed to federal power. He made no mention of the tragedy and a spokesman told reporters that the Texas city was chosen because of its central location and good connections.

"The prosecutor of New York, under the auspices and direction of the 'Department of Injustice' in Washington DC" is conducting an investigation for "something that is neither a crime, nor a misdemeanor, nor an affair," said Saturday Donald Trump, denouncing once again a "witch hunt".

Donald Trump attacks the "radical left maniacs"

If several thousand people came to applaud the billionaire for this oratorical exercise that he likes, under the Texas sun, the crowd remained far from the 15,000 people expected, noted journalists on the spot.

"We represent a huge power behind Donald Trump, just waiting to be triggered," said a faithful, Kelly Heath, 49, who traveled several hundred kilometers from Georgia (southeast) to applaud his idol. "I love him, he's our savior," said Marianna Bodrogi, a 69-year-old retiree.

Donald Trump drew loud applause by attacking Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg, in charge of the investigation, and his colleagues, calling them "radical left maniacs".

>> Prosecutor Alvin Bragg vs Donald Trump: the confrontation of two Americas

On March 21, he tried in vain to mobilize a tide of supporters in the streets of Manhattan to oppose what he said was an imminent arrest, which did not take place.

"All presidents have had mistresses. Why not him?" said Louis, a 72-year-old retiree, accompanied by his 16-year-old grandson whom he says is a "big fan" of Trump even if he is not old enough to vote.

The former president is also under threat of investigations into his 2020 election pressure in Georgia and the management of classified White House archives.

"God, guns, Trump in Waco, Texas"

Donald Trump tried to find a second wind with an acquired crowd, among the stands selling the full range of the Trump brand, from "Trump 2024" and "Trump Girl" caps to a white shirt with the slogan: "God, guns, Trump in Waco, Texas".

Because even if most polls give him to date winner of a primary, his campaign is struggling to get the expected momentum.

The billionaire, who continues against all odds to evoke alleged "fraud" never proven in the 2020 election, has seen a part of the right – and especially its rich donors – turn to the new champion of the hard right, Ron DeSantis, 44.

The governor of Florida is not yet officially launched in the race but will undoubtedly be one of his biggest rivals for the Republican nomination in 2024.

The Fox News channel, which was once acquired by the billionaire, has also covered the Waco meeting only minimally.

This city of 130,000 inhabitants remains associated with the anti-government sect of the Davidians. In the spring of 1993, the world was suspended for 51 days at the FBI headquarters of a ranch in which armed followers of guru David Koresh had holed up. Seventy-six members of the sect, including 20 children, were found dead after the ranch fire. Four policemen were also killed.

With AFP

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