“A Trump rally has the feel of an all-day pep rally mixed with a megachurch service — except with Trumpism as the religion. The rallies are places where a movement largely defined by grievance can be together, away from opponents — not to mention assertions that Trump lies and is harmful to democracy.
They are places to see that for many Americans, Trumpism isn't just about politics; it's a core part of their identities.
[…]
Trump started speaking in Rome at around 6:00 p.m., about an hour late. He would remain on stage for nearly 2 hours — long even for a Trump rally speech.
As usual, the demonization of undocumented immigrants was a key focus and drew loud cheers.
[…]
Even when his particular wording doesn't make headlines, Trump's speeches are full of false — and sometimes strange — rhetoric about migrants.
[…]
The speech went beyond immigration though, meandering toward many more of trump's grievances — yes, against Joe Biden, but also Fulton County, Ga., prosecutor Fani Willis, N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James, Megyn Kelly and Martha Stewart...to name a few.
In addition, he praised Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orban and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.”
The rallies are places where a movement largely defined by warrantless, baseless grievance can be together, away from facts and the truth, a safe place of rightwing disinformation and lies.