Donald Trump teases presidential comeback at US rally

Donald Trump has held his first big campaign-style rally since leaving the White House, giving a rambling speech ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

Former US President Donald Trump throws hats into the crowd as he arrives for his campaign-style rally in Wellington, Ohio. Picture: AFP

Donald Trump has held his first big campaign-style rally since leaving the White House, giving a rambling speech to an adoring audience, as he launched a series of appearances ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

The former US president, who has been booted from Twitter and faces multiple legal woes, blasted President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and repeated his false claim that his November 2020 election victory was marred by fraud.

Mr Trump has hinted that he may run for candidacy in 2024, but did not go into detail during his 90-minute address at in Ohio.

The crowd at the fairgrounds where the rally was held cheered wildly, chanting “four more years! four more years!”

Former President Donald Trump points at the press box during his campaign-style rally in Wellington, Ohio. Picture: AFP

He teased a possible run for the White House. Picture: AFP

Mr Trump teased them at one point by alluding to the possibility of another stab at the White House.

“We may have to win it a third time. It is possible,” he said.

Mr Trump covered issues including immigration, crime, gun rights, Afghanistan and Iran.

“Joe Biden is destroying our nation before our very eyes,” Mr Trump said.

“The election was over and we took a massive victory. They did something that should never be allowed.”

It was the third major speech given by Mr Trump since since leaving Washington.

The Ohio rally drew a crowd of several thousand, who were enthusiastic but not quite raucous.

One purpose of it was for Mr Trump to endorse conservative candidate Max Miller, a former Trump aide.

The former president, who has been booted from social media platforms and faces multiple legal woes. Picture: AFP

Georgia Congressional Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene blows kisses to the crowd as she leaves the stage after speaking during a campaign-style rally in Wellington, Ohio. Picture: AFP

In the crowd many sported shirts with slogans like “Trump 2024 — Because America can never be too great.” “If you look at all of Trump’s rallies, you’ll see hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of people and there is no way a demented old man won this election,” said Laura Benas, 57, a retail manager in Wellington, referring to Mr Biden.

Mr Trump, 75, has maintained a relatively low profile since leaving the presidency under a cloud three weeks after the deadly January 6 uprising at the US Capitol.

The House impeached Mr Trump for inciting the insurrection — with 10 Republicans joining Democrats in voting to oust the president — but he was acquitted by the Senate. It was his second impeachment.

Now, Mr Trump is calling for the scalps of those Republicans who voted to impeach him, beginning with Anthony Gonzalez, the Ohio incumbent whom Mr Miller is challenging in a Republican primary.

Mr Trump will hold his next major rally — complete with fireworks — in Sarasota, Florida on July 3, one day before the Independence Day holiday.

He will also enter the public sphere with a high-profile visit to the US border with Mexico.