Bored guests prevented from leaving ‘low energy’ Trump speech

Donald Trump made his big announcement on Tuesday night to great fanfare — but video from the event reveals an embarrassing truth.

Is Donald Trump the new Jeb?

During the 2016 Republican primaries, Mr Trump famously branded Jeb Bush “low energy”, but it appears the tables have turned.

The former President made his long-expected announcement of a third White House bid at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday night — but many in the audience were already bored before the end of the 76-year-old’s rambling, hour-long speech.

“Ladies and gentleman, America’s comeback starts right now,” Mr Trump said to applause, announcing he had filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for President in 2024.

For just under 70 minutes, he spruiked his credentials and touted his achievements in office, while attacking President Joe Biden — but many observers noted speech was “surprisingly flat”.

He appeared to have trouble keeping the attention of the audience of around 1000 people gathered in the resort’s lavish ballroom, with some members of the crowd speaking among themselves and ignoring his words towards the end.

“The audience here — these are his most fervent supporters — we didn’t hear any huge amount of enthusiasm from them,” said Sky News Washington correspondent Annelise Nielsen.

people trying to leave: pic.twitter.com/UZjTUD5OmN

— Brennan Murphy (@brenonade) November 16, 2022

A crowd has formed by the exit of the ballroom as some try to leave Trump’s announcement speech before he has finished…. But security won’t let them. pic.twitter.com/O7C6QJfYgK

— Olivia Rubin (@OliviaRubinABC) November 16, 2022

ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl described it as “incredibly low energy”.

“I actually saw people trying to leave and people leaving early before he was done — he’s still speaking now — and then they [were] I think perhaps a little concerned the hall would empty out too much, they actually started preventing people from leaving,” he said.

“So now they’re no longer allowing people to leave.”

ABC News journalist Olivia Rubin shared a video of people congregating by the door.

“A crowd has formed by the exit of the ballroom as some try to leave Trump’s announcement speech before he has finished … But security won’t let them,” she wrote.

The crowd lost interest during the hour-long speech. Source: The Recount/Twitter

Many were seen on their phones. Source: The Recount/Twitter

People making their way out. Source: The Recount/Twitter

Security reportedly prevented people from leaving. Source: The Recount/Twitter

Footage captured by news cameras showed a number of people leaving as Mr Trump was still speaking.

One man could be seen attempting to exit before working his way back through the crowd and making a throat cutting gesture to a companion, appearing to indicate the way was blocked.

Other people in the crowd could be seen grimacing or looking bored, while several were filmed staring at their phones.

“This is one of the most low-energy, uninspiring speeches I’ve ever heard from Trump,” former Trump press aide Sarah Matthews tweeted.

“Even the crowd seems bored. Not exactly what you want when announcing a presidential run.”

The event was also undercut by the absence of Mr Trump’s two eldest children.

Ivanka Trump, 41, had rejected her father’s pleas to join him on stage, saying she no longer wants to be involved in politics. Donald Trump Jr., 44, was also a no-show after aides said bad weather prevented him from returning on time from a hunting trip in the Mountain West.

Meanwhile, only one sitting member of Congress — outgoing North Carolina Representative Madison Cawthorn — showed up to lend his support.

The disgraced Madison Cawthorn slithered in from oblivion to attend Trump’s announcement. If elected president, Trump will surround himself with only the best people, like him. pic.twitter.com/PdrE8rVTGu

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) November 16, 2022

Mr Cawthorn, 27, lost his re-election primary after he was called out by House colleagues for claiming they snorted cocaine and had invited him to orgies, as well as the release of a lurid video of him simulating a sex act.

“Donald Trump got that valuable Madison Cawthorn endorsement,” one Twitter user wrote sarcastically, sharing a photo the lawmaker sitting just behind Melania Trump.

The Republican Party is increasingly split on its support of Mr Trump, who is seen in some circles as “toxic” electorally.

Some had urged him to delay his announcement following last week’s disappointing midterm election results, which failed to deliver a widely anticipated “red wave” despite Mr Biden’s deep unpopularity, economic turmoil and rising global tensions.

After winning a landslide re-election last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now the favourite to win the Republican nomination in 2024, according to betting website PredictIt.

An enraged Mr Trump had dubbed his rival “Ron De Sanctimonious” and demanded he rule out a presidential run, even hinting he would drop dirt on the 44-year-old.

“I would tell you things about him that won’t be very flattering — I know more about him than anybody — other than, perhaps, his wife,” Mr Trump told Fox News.

Last week, as criticism of Mr Trump grew in the wake of the midterms, he finally unleashed on Mr DeSantis in an unhinged and rambling statement, accusing him of “playing games” and being disloyal.

The presidential elections are due to be held in November 2024.

— with NY Post