Donald Trump was booed during an address at the Libertarian Party National Convention on Saturday.
Libertarians have been largely critical of Mr Trump, whose invitation to speak at the party event in Washington caused mass division.
There was some show of support, as he asked for the party’s endorsement, with chants of “USA! USA”, but the former president was booed at several points during his speech.
It was a highly unusual spectacle, as Trump events are heavily staged – which usually guarantees support from his loyal fans.
Mr Trump tried to get the Libertarians on side by describing President Joe Biden as a “tyrant” and the “worst president in the history of the United States”, but he was instead met with cries of: “That’s you.”
Someone in the audience shouted: “Lock him up!” while another said: “Donald Trump is a threat to democracy!”
Cries were also heard of “You had your shot!”, “F*** you” and “You already had four years, you a******”.
Someone carrying a banner that said “No wannabe dictators!” was also dragged away by security.
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A ‘no wannabe dictators’ banner at the Libertarian convention. Pic: Reuters
The former president tried to endear party members to him by joking about his four criminal indictments, saying: “If I wasn’t a Libertarian before, I sure as hell am a Libertarian now.”
But with more boos from the audience, he hit back: “You don’t want to win” and claimed that the party wants to “keep getting your 3% every four years”.
In the 2016 election, Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson won 3% of the vote, but in 2020, nominee Jo Jorgensen only secured around 1%.
Mr Trump managed to secure a cheer when he promised to reduce the life sentence of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the illegal drug sales website Silk Road, who is widely championed by Libertarians, and who themselves prioritise individual freedoms and reduced government.
‘Free Ross’ signs raised as Donald Trump addresses Libertarians in Washington. Pic: Reuters
‘I would rather eat my own foot’
The event was a chance for Mr Trump to recruit supporters of independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr, who made his own speech at the convention.
But speaking to NBC News, Libertarian Caryn Ann Harlos said of a possible Trump endorsement: “I would rather eat my own foot out of a bear trap.”
Libertarians, who broke out into their signature “End the Fed” chant, to abolish the Federal Reserve, will pick their nomination for the White House on Sunday.
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Mr Biden and Mr Trump will face off again in November in a repeat of the 2020 presidential election – with polling showing most Americans are not in favour of a repeat of that contest.
This could lead to an increase in support for independent or fringe candidates outside the Democrats or Republicans, according to some forecasters.