Former President Donald Trump is set to hold a beachfront rally on the Jersey Shore this Saturday, marking his return to the campaign trail amidst ongoing legal proceedings in New York related to his hush money trial.
The rally, scheduled in Wildwood, South New Jersey, signifies Trump’s third campaign event since the commencement of his trial four weeks ago. Despite New Jersey not being a battleground state, Wildwood, situated in Cape May County, boasts a Republican-friendly district. Trump’s significant victory margin in the county in both 2016 and 2020 underscores the region’s appeal to his base.
While some Republicans have questioned the decision to campaign in a traditionally Democratic state, the Trump campaign sees strategic advantages. They aim to leverage the nearby media market in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state, and secure local TV coverage in Philadelphia. Moreover, they anticipate drawing attendees from Philadelphia and its suburbs, located within reasonable driving distance from Wildwood.
This rally isn’t Trump’s first foray into Wildwood. In January 2020, he rallied support for Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who had switched from Democrat to Republican affiliation during Trump’s first impeachment trial. Van Drew, a key figure in Trump’s New Jersey campaign efforts, is slated to speak at Saturday’s event.
Despite the tight schedule imposed by his trial, Trump has not fully utilized his off days for campaigning. However, the proximity of Wildwood to both his trial in Manhattan and his Bedminster golf club likely influenced the location choice for this rally.