Donald Trump made a barnstorming 90 minute comeback speech which saw him attack Joe Biden, Dr Fauci, those who doubted his COVID lab leak claim, big tech and cancel culture.
The former president's address at the North Carolina GOP convention dinner in Greenville on Saturday night was only his second since leaving the White House in January.
And Trump wasted no time getting stuck into Biden, launching an attack on his successor's policies within moments of taking the podium.
Trump vows to take back the US from 'radical' Biden https://t.co/3mJwS3kkMD
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) June 6, 2021
He said: 'As we gather tonight our country is being destroyed before our very own eyes. Crime is exploding, police departments are being ripped apart and defunded, can you believe that? Is that good politics, defund our police?
'You look at our border, it's wide open. Illegal immigration is skyrocketing at a level we've never seen before, and this is over a period of a few months.
'Drugs are pouring in, gas prices are soaring, our industries are being pillaged by foreign cyber attacks.
'That's a lack of respect for our country and for our leaders.
'And speaking of our leaders, they're bowing down to China, America's being demeaned and humiliated on the world stage.
'Our freedom is being overtaken by left-wing cancel culture and the Biden administration is pushing toxic critical race theory and illegal discrimination into our children's schools.'
'Now you tell me. We take this? Joe Biden and the socialist democrats are the most radical left-wing administration in history. Even Bernie Sanders can't believe it.'
'The survival of America depends on our ability to elect Republicans at every level, starting with the midterms next year. We have to get it done. We have to defend our borders, we have to do all of these things.
'The cancel culture, the defunding culture, the defending culture - and they defend the wrong things - we're not going to let it go on any longer. We're going to stand up for our values, and take back our country at a level that is very, very good.'
Trump was greeted with rapturous applause throughout his speech, and drew the most laughter when he cracked jokes at the expense of White House COVID czar Dr Anthony Fauci, who he claimed was a 'great promoter, not a great doctor.'
He also claimed the Republicans would gain at least two or three House of Representatives seats in the 2022 mid-terms, having earlier vowed to take back the House, Senate and White House 'sooner than you think.'
Trump also ranted about last year's election loss, branding the 2020 election 'by far the most corrupt election in the history of our country.'
He claimed mail-in ballots had been used to steal his victory, despite multiple lawyers hired by Team Trump being unable to offer any proof of the former president's claims.
Earlier this week, Trump claimed he could be reinstated to the White House as early as August, although he did not repeat that outlandish 'reinstatement' claim on Saturday night, amid claims some of his key allies had begged him not to for fear he'd be ridiculed.
Notably absent was any firm word on whether Trump will run for president in 2024.
BREAKING: Trump JUST announced he’s running in 2024 #MAGA pic.twitter.com/jjo33YOIUC
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) June 4, 2021
He ranted that ongoing 'witch hunt' probes into his alleged wrongdoing - so far numbering two unsuccessful impeachments, as well as an ongoing Manhattan District Attorney's criminal probe - would finally come to a halt in November 2024.
That is when the next presidential election will be held, although Trump did not comment further. His daughter-in law-Lara Trump took to the stage to say she was too busy raising her two toddlers to consider a North Carolina US Senate run in 2022.
He touched on topics that many of his supporters - and critics - will recognize as Trump 'greatest hits', including...
This article has been adapted from its original source.
