As news swirls about his possible indictment, the former president announced a call to arms. Donald J. Trump implored his loyal followers to take to the streets in anticipation of his arrest. Trump urged the legions to “TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!” and “PROTEST! PROTEST! PROTEST!”
He did it in all caps on Truth Social so nobody heard it at first, but once it entered the real social media ecosystem the response from his legions of supporters was swift and forceful. Just kidding, a couple dozen people in varying degrees of patriot cosplay showed up outside Trump Tower where they were badly outnumbered by enthusiastic onlookers hoping to see a perp walk.
Why the low turnout? Sure, Trump has always had a bit of trouble drawing big crowds, remember the inaugural and this year’s CPAC conference where he played to a half-full room? Sure, there were some bomb threats and online chatter about building a “Patriot Moat” around Mar-A-Lago, but where are the people?
Are they still waiting on that bridge in Dallas for JFK Jr. to show up? Are they still in jail from the last time Trump asked them to bust up the joint? Are they sitting in front of their mailboxes waiting for that check he promised them to cover their legal fees? The answers to these questions remain a mystery.
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