Trump’s very boisterous rejection by the Libertarian Party was watched worldwide— and generally seen as just plin ridiculous. A very savvy friend in Shanghai who grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from Stanford, said:
"这一事件强调了意识形态一致性的重要性和政治联盟建设的挑战。它也反映了自由意志党对其核心价值观的承诺，即使在面对高知名度人物时也是如此。这一事件提醒我们，各种政治意识形态之间的根本差异以及在政治参与中保持原则立场的重要性 "
Basically what he was trying to convey is that the Libertarian Party strongly supports individual liberty, minimal government intervention and free markets, principles very much at odds with policies or rhetoric that appear authoritarian. MAGA isn’t for them. But Trump went to their convention and begged for their ballot line and got boo-ed off the stage. His embrace of tariffs, harsh immigration restrictions and authoritarianism in general are not going down well with the libertarian community. As you’re already aware, Libertarians are known for their vocal commitment to their principles, and Trump’s deviations and transparent insincerity was immediately met with strong loud opposition and anger.
Trump was disqualified on a technicality and his nomination shit-canned before it could be voted down. I doubt many will vote for him in November. Nor will they be voting for RFK, Jr, who also asked for their ballot line— which he desperately needs. He was also boo-edand jeered, although not as harshly as Trump was. Delusional and dishonest as always, Trump posted this yesterday:
On the first ballot, RFK, Jr received just 19 votes, about 2.1%, which immediately eliminated him from the next rounds, since 5% is required to move on. Trump, though disqualified, received 6 write-in votes, although at least one delegate also wrote in Stormy Daniels.
Guardian correspondent David Smith wrote that “Trump’s rocky ride at a Washington hotel on Saturday night, including cries of ‘Bullshit!’ and ‘Fuck you!,’ underlined the challenge that the Republican presidential nominee faces to broaden his appeal both left and right on the political spectrum. ‘The fact is we should not be fighting each other,’ Trump pleaded. ‘If Joe Biden gets back in, there will be no more liberty for anyone in our country. Combine with us in a partnership— we’re asking that of the libertarians. We must work together. Combine with us. You have to combine with us.’ The appeal went down like a lead balloon as delegates booed, jeered and shouted insults. It was a stunning rebuke for a man who has become accustomed to cult-like rallies where his every word is cheered to the echo.”
The ex-president quoted an article written by political commentator Deroy Murdock arguing that Libertarians should vote for Trump. The crowd again erupted in boos and jeers.
Trump retorted: “Only if you want to win. Only if you want to win. Maybe you don’t want to win. Maybe you don’t want to win. Only do that if you want to win. If you want to lose, don’t do that. Keep getting your 3% every four years.”
Trump went on to argue that Libertarians should make him their presidential nominee or at least vote for him in the election. Again there were boos and wails of derision. He went on: “The Libertarians want to vote for me and most of them will because we have to get rid of the worst president in history and together we will.”
The Republican promised that, if elected, he would put a Libertarian in his cabinet and others in senior posts. Again the crowd made clear its dissent. Ever the salesman, Trump prodded: “Pretty good. That’s pretty big.” But this time the old tricks did not work.
Again Trump chided them for getting 3% in past elections. Competing with chants, he said: “No, you want to make yourself winners, it’s time to be winners. You have a lot of common sense.”
Trump pressed on with his speech, saying he’d come “to extend a hand of friendship” in common opposition to Biden. That prompted a chant of “We want Trump!” from supporters, but more cries of “End the Fed!”— a common refrain from Libertarians who oppose the Federal Reserve. One person who held up a sign reading “No wannabe dictators!” was dragged away by security.
Late last night, the winner emerged— Chase Oliver, an openly gay, pro-Choice, pro-gun, anti-war former Democrat who in 2022 forced a runoff in a race for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. Receiving over 2% of the vote, he forced a runoff between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker, helping flip that crucial seat blue.
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