DERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Former President Donald Trump's visit to New Hampshire to file for the state's Republican primary ahead of a rally with supporters took an interesting turn when a protester greeted him with chants of "Lock him up."
The protester in question, wielding a megaphone, fervently repeated the phrase, "Lock him up! Donald Trump!" as the ex-president disembarked from a black vehicle, surrounded by a phalanx of Secret Service agents.
The incident, while brief, generated a flurry of attention from journalists on the scene.
Reporters attempted to capture this moment, but Trump campaign handlers swiftly moved them away from the protest. The chants of "Lock him up" were drowned out as Trump supporters gathered around him, eager to express their unwavering support.
Swift dismissal by Trump supporters
The incident, however, did not appear to have any impact on Trump's supporters. On social media platforms, they quickly dismissed the protest as a minor disruption. Some even questioned the authenticity of the protester's chants.
A comment posted on X humorously asked, "How much did you have to pay those 3 people to yell that?" Another online user quipped, "I'm sure that was paid for by the DNC," implying that the protest might have been orchestrated by Trump's political opponents.
One observer pointed out, "It's that one guy who is recording the video lmao." Someone else added, "Bahahahahahaha! One person saying it….," while another offered, "Sure. Out of the thousands of supporters there’s one guy on the bullhorn screaming his nonsense. Nice try but no cigar."
Trump files for 2024 election in New Hampshire
Despite the brief and isolated nature of the protest, it did not detract from the significance of Trump's visit to New Hampshire. He was in the state to file as a candidate for the 2024 election.
Remarkably, Trump has maintained his perception that the 2024 Republican primary is largely in his favor. He has gone as far as refusing to participate in debates with candidates who significantly trail him in the polls, displaying a sense of confidence that has resonated with his base.
Trump's filing for the New Hampshire primary placed him among a growing list of 2024 GOP peers who have registered for the state's primary. Notably, GOP Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was the first major candidate to file early.
DeSantis was set to return for a full-day tour alongside Republican Governor Chris Sununu, underlining the importance of New Hampshire in the early stages of the primary season. However, a specific date for the primary had not yet been set at the time of Trump's visit.
Fellow Republicans have also been active in filing for the New Hampshire primary. Figures like former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, and conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, have all thrown their hats into the ring.
Haley's campaign, in a pre-emptive move, criticized Trump for not paying for local police presence during his travels in the state.
“The Trump campaign owes $3,788 to law enforcement in Concord, NH, and $12,870 in Manchester, NH. If Trump refuses to pay, the cost will be borne by hardworking New Hampshire taxpayers,” the campaign said in a statement titled 'Haley to Trump: Fund the Police.'
Trump's playful comments on House Speakership turmoil
Speaking to reporters while submitting his paperwork for the primary before his campaign event in Derry, Trump briefly addressed the ongoing speakership turmoil among House Republicans.
He downplayed reports of friction with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, one of the nine Republicans jostling for the speaker's gavel.
Emmer had notably refused to back efforts to decertify the 2020 election, which led to tensions with Trump and his allies.
Trump injected humor into the situation, stating, "He’s my biggest fan now because he called me yesterday and told me he’s my biggest fan."
Earlier in the month, Trump had floated the idea of temporarily taking up the reins as speaker, but he had since abandoned that notion. “I’m trying to stay out of that as much as possible," he told reporters.
As he concluded his comments on the speakership situation, Trump joked, "There’s only one person that can do it all the way. Do you know who that is? Jesus Christ. If Jesus came down and said, ‘I want to be Speaker,’ he would do it. Other than that, I haven’t seen anyone that can guarantee it."
