Thousands descended on Capitol Hill Wednesday to protest President Obama’s Iranian nuclear deal and catch a glimpse of celebrity GOP candidate Donald Trump and company.
Thousands turn out for #StopIranDeal http://t.co/tOx2w8R5Pu #tcot #america #tiot #women pic.twitter.com/gwbDlZIolc
— Doug Ray (@RWSalt) September 9, 2015
Light on specifics and heavy on theatrics, Trump opened his speech by immediately flaunting his business pedigree.
“I’ve been doing deals for a long time, I’ve been making lots of wonderful deals—great deals—that’s what I do,” the Donald declared. “Never, ever, ever in my life have I seen any transaction as incompetently negotiated as our deal with Iran.”
More of a big-picture sort of guy, the businessman delegated coverage of the details to “Ted and everybody else.” Instead, Trump unleashed an ad hominem broadside against the White House, leadership that he twice labeled “very, very stupid people.”
.@realdonaldtrump blasting President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran at the Capitol minutes ago pic.twitter.com/H1UPd8CMeE
— Gabby Morrongiello (@gabriellahope_) September 9, 2015
Knocking off Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign promise to end the Iranian hostage crisis, Trump declared the four current American detainees would be returned from Iran “before I ever take office because they know that has to happen.”
Trump told the crowd that, if elected, America will roar back with “big-league” victories. He even cautioned the crowd, “We will have so much winning if I get elected, you may get bored with winning.”
With that, in little more than five minutes, Trump finished his remarks, declaring that he would “make America great again” on the world stage. The audience erupted.
Outside US #Capitol, #TeaParty rally to #StopIranDeal underway. pic.twitter.com/nU3izpzTWf
— M. Scott Mahaskey (@smahaskey) September 9, 2015
In addition to Trump, the crowd heard from Sen. Ted Cruz, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Conservative entertainers like Mark Levin and Pat Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” made appearances. Even outspoken Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell showed up.
Rosie O’Donnell big head sign at #StopIranDeal rally. pic.twitter.com/5E2gfMTJ6Z
— Nate Brand (@TeddybearNate) September 9, 2015
After a few short hours, the media circus/rally ended as #StopIranDeal started trending on social media. Together, political VIPs and very successful CEOs left the Hill. And President Obama still maintained the votes necessary to pass the Iranian deal through the Senate.
Philip Wegmann is a Staff Writer and the Radio Producer for The Federalist. Follow him on Twitter.
