Libertarian convention crowd appears hostile to Trump ahead of Saturday
speech
Vivek Ramaswamy was booed when he mentioned Trump, while a convention-goer
who called for "Donald Trump to go f--- himself" was met with widespread
applause.
Trump could face hostile crowd during speech at Libertarian convention
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May 24, 2024, 10:43 PM EDT
By Megan Lebowitz, Isabelle Schmeler and Emma Barnett

WASHINGTON � Former President Donald Trump is used to warm welcomes by
loyal supporters at speaking events on the campaign trail.

This weekend might be different.

Trump is set to deliver a speech Saturday at the 2024 Libertarian National
Convention, and if Friday night's program is any indication, he could be
facing a hostile crowd.

Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who quickly endorsed
Trump after dropping out, was booed during his convention remarks Friday
night when he mentioned Trump.

"I'm speaking to you as a libertarian at my own core. I have gotten to know
Donald Trump over the course of the last several years and the last several
months," Ramaswamy said as many in the crowd booed in response.

Ramaswamy continued, urging the audience of about 100 to ask themselves if
they wanted to influence the next administration.

Separately, as Libertarian party members reviewed procedures and motions, a
person at a microphone proposed that "we go tell Donald Trump to go f---
himself."

The audience cheered and roared with applause.

Behind the two men, a third chanted, "F--- Donald Trump."

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a
request for comment on the crowd's sentiments toward the presumptive
Republican nominee for president.

Several voters watching speeches at the convention, where independent
presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke, said they were
disillusioned with both major political parties.

Avi Rachlin, a 22-year-old Michigan voter, said he cast a ballot for Trump
in 2020 but plans to vote for the Libertarian candidate in November.

"People say that a third party vote is a wasted vote. You�re voting for the
other team," Rachlin said on Friday. "And I don�t see it that way. I think
it sends a strong message of disapproval with the current contenders for
both offices."

John Burke Stringfellow, a Virginia voter who said he backed Trump in 2016
and then President Joe Biden in 2020, said he thought a rematch between the
two candidates is "terrible."