Donald Trump was booed repeatedly last night during his speech at the national convention of the Libertarian Party, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The agency noted that many of those in attendance shouted insults and made accusations that the former US president had increased the federal deficit and enriched pharmaceutical companies by developing the COVID-19 vaccine.
When he took the stage, many in the audience began to jeer him, and his supporters, wearing ``Make America Great Again'' hats and T-shirts, cheered and chanted ``U.S.A. USA".
It was a special moment in which Trump came face-to-face with his critics, which is highly unusual for a man used to rallying in front of adoring crowds, the AP said.
Libertarians, who prioritize limiting government power and individual liberties, are often skeptical of the former president, and the invitation to speak at the convention has divided the party. Trump tried to downplay that, citing the four lawsuits against him.
"If I wasn't one before, I'm certainly a libertarian now," the former president said with a smile.
Trump expressed gratitude to the "fierce defenders of freedom in this room" and called President Joe Biden a "tyrant" and "the worst president in the history of the United States,", prompting some in the audience to shout back, "That's you.
As the insults continued, Trump hit back, telling them, "You don't want to win." He also suggested some libertarians: You want to "keep getting your 3% every four years".
Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson won about 3% of the national vote in 2016, AP notes.
The Libertarians will choose their presidential candidate during the convention, which ends today. Trump's appearance was aimed at the former US president courting voters who might otherwise support independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who also addressed the Libertarian National Convention on Friday.