Former President Donald Trump recently stood silently for more than 30 seconds and during his speech at the National Rifle Association Convention Saturday as dramatic music swelled behind him via Mediaite.
It has been noted that Trump was more than an hour into his speech and was praising the state of Texas, where the convention was being held:
Many came here with nothing but the boots or their feet, the clothes on their back, and the gun in their saddle. Together they helped make America into the single greatest nation in the history of the world.
Trump then stopped talking and appeared to shake his head. It has come to light that Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung told Mediaite, “It was clearly a strong dramatic effect, which has occurred previously because when any American reflects upon the disastrous Biden presidency, they can’t help but be concerned about the direction of the country.”
After about 33 seconds, Trump picked right up where he left off, saying, “But now, we are a nation in decline.”
Critics and some in the media immediately picked up on the lengthy pause to speculate whether it was intentional, the music was played at the wrong moment, or there was some kind of teleprompter malfunction. Newsweek went so far as to publish an article titled, “Donald Trump’s ‘Glitch’ During NRA Speech Raises Questions.”
The Biden-Harris Campaign posted the clip to X, writing, “Trump starts playing QAnon music during his bizarre slur-filled NRA speech,” but didn’t mention the pause.
The X account “Biden’s Wins” posted, “Donald Trump just glitched out and froze at his rally tonight. He is clearly unfit for office. Retweet so every American knows Trump is senile.”
Trump fans, however, never doubted that the silence was intentional. Newsweek quoted two Trump supporters commenting about the dramatic moment:
“He is pausing for effect. He is also wrestling with some sadness, due to the disastrous state of his beloved country,” one person wrote.
Another wrote: “Anyone who’s watched a Trump rally knows he was pausing for the music.”
Trump starts playing QAnon music during his bizarre slur-filled NRA speech pic.twitter.com/tprP3rRxMR
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 18, 2024
BREAKING: Donald Trump just glitched out and froze at his rally tonight. He is clearly unfit for office. Retweet so every American knows Trump is senile. pic.twitter.com/QTa5qKNy8H
— Biden’s Wins (@BidensWins) May 19, 2024
