Donald Trump Defiantly Declares Criminal Charges Help His 2024 Presidential Campaign at Alabama GOP Summer Dinner

Former President Donald Trump made an appearance in his home state of Alabama on Friday night, delivering a speech full of defiance and bluster in which he insulted prosecutors and declared that the charges he faces only help his 2024 presidential campaign.

The event, which was hosted by GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville, comes as the Pentagon deals with the effects of Tuberville’s months-long hold on military promotions. The move has currently left the Army and other branches of the military without over 300 promotions. Despite the implications of Tuberville’s maneuver, neither he nor supporters in attendance seemed concerned about it.

Trump has remained silent on the issue, but made a point to mention his current legal troubles during his speech. “Any time they file an indictment, we go way up in the polls,” Trump said. This is the third criminal indictment Trump has faced this year, with the federal government charging him with crimes related to his efforts to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss. He pleaded not guilty on Thursday.

Even some Republican voters at the Alabama GOP Summer Dinner who didn’t agree with the blockade were more focused on party loyalty than Tuberville’s maneuver. It remains to be seen how the military promotions will be affected by the hold, and whether Trump’s legal troubles will have any impact on his 2024 presidential campaign.