Donald Trump had an unexpected moment when a reporter’s boom microphone hit him in the face. This happened while he was speaking to the media at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Trump was preparing to leave after his speech at the Department of Justice. He was in high spirits as he answered questions from reporters. While discussing the situation in the Middle East, Trump was hit by the microphone suddenly in the mouth. He closed his eyes and leaned back to avoid further contact. The mic was quickly pulled away, and Trump laughed it off. He joked that the mic operator had just made it onto television. Still laughing, he asked the crowd, “Did you see that?”
Trump’s Supporters Praise Him for Staying Cool Under Pressure
Many of Trump’s supporters praised him for how he handled the situation. They called him professional and calm. One supporter wrote, “A reporter just hit President Trump with a microphone. But 47 handled it like a pro.” Others were more concerned about it when Trump was hit by the mic. Some called for tighter security. One supporter said, “President Trump was just smacked in the face by a reporter’s boom mic. Unreal these people. Have some respect.” Another person said security should have been better and called it “embarrassing for the press.”
Trump Criticizes the Media During His Speech
Earlier that day, Trump spoke at the Department of Justice. He strongly criticized the media and claimed that some reporting should be illegal. He said news networks were acting like political operatives. Trump also singled out MSNBC and CNN. He accused them of writing mostly negative stories about him. He said, “I believe that CNN and MSDNC, who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat Party. And in my opinion, they are really corrupt and they are illegal. What they do is illegal.” His audience, made up mostly of strong supporters, cheered his words.
Addressing Government ‘Weaponization’ and His Legal Battles
Trump spoke about what he calls the “weaponization” of the government against him. He believes federal investigations into him are politically motivated. Trump feels empowered by a recent Supreme Court ruling. This ruling gives presidents some immunity for actions taken while in office. Trump has appointed loyal supporters to top positions in the Justice Department. One of them is Pam Bondi, who defended him in his impeachment trial. Bondi has ordered officials to protect the presidency’s interests. When Trump arrived at the department, she showed him his official portrait. Trump smiled and said, “That’s a nice picture.”
Highlighting the Dangers of Fentanyl During His Speech
Trump delivered his speech in front of boxes labeled “DEA Evidence.” These boxes contained 180 kg of fentanyl. Pam Bondi explained that this amount could kill 90 million people. The crowd included over 200 law enforcement officials, Capitol Hill staff, and families affected by fentanyl. Many wore red “Make America Great Again” hats. Some in the audience had lost loved ones to illegal drugs. They listened as Trump spoke about the need to stop fentanyl trafficking.
Crowd Waits Hours but Enjoys Food and Music Before Trump’s Arrival
Many people arrived hours before Trump’s speech. They waited patiently for him to take the stage. Among those in attendance were Senators Chuck Grassley and Bill Cassidy. To make the wait easier, a table with food was set up. Guests were offered deli sandwiches, pretzels, chips, and popcorn. Music also played in the background. The playlist included songs from Elvis, the Beach Boys, and the musicals Grease and Phantom of the Opera. Some of Trump’s favorite tunes played as the crowd waited. The atmosphere remained lively as people anticipated his speech.
