WILDWOOD, United States, May 12, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Empty fairground rides
twisted and spun Saturday on the New Jersey shore as thousands of Donald
Trump supporters filled a pristine beach for a rally ahead of potentially
damaging testimony in his criminal trial next week.

Several of them assailed Trump's former fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen, who
is scheduled on Monday to give evidence against the ex-president in his New
York trial, ratcheting up his political and legal jeopardy.

Prosecutors want Cohen to lay out the details of how, as Trump's personal
lawyer, he shepherded a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels for her
silence over an alleged sexual tryst.

Trump and his defense team deny such an event took place, blasting Cohen as a
liar who had served jail time for campaign finance violations.

"Cohen's a joke. He has no credibility at all," said Lisa Lombardo, 61, a
director of physician relations from the New Jersey town of Medford.

"I don't believe anything is going to come of it. It's only galvanized the
base... Fair-minded Democrats know it's crap," added Lombardo, who insisted a
gag order from Judge Juan Merchan that prevents Trump attacking Cohen and
other witnesses was "unconstitutional."

Trump avoided mentioning any witnesses in his speech Saturday.

Around Lombardo, who wore a bright pink "Women for Trump" baseball cap, other
supporters of the Republican candidate fanned out across the beach, some
unfurling picnic blankets as seagulls circled overhead, creating a festive
atmosphere.

- 'Show trial' -

Diehard fans of Trump, who is seeking a White House comeback in the November
elections, had traveled from as far afield as Hawaii, with some camping on
the beach to secure a spot for the rally.

"As you know, I've come here from New York where I'm being forced to endure a
show trial," Trump said to boos. "Carried out by a radical Democrat district
attorney."

The seaside resort venue for the rally, Trump's first since mid-April, was a
far cry from the dingy Manhattan courthouse that has hosted Trump four days a
week since the start of his trial for covering up hush-money payments.

A yellow plane flew overhead towing a banner reading "God bless D Trump!"

John Dipietro, a financial planner celebrating his 60th birthday at the
rally, called the New York trial "politically motivated."

- 'Jailhouse Rock' -

"(Cohen) is a convicted liar, and it's ironic they'll let a convicted liar
talk... and not a person who was the president and not convicted," he added,
sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with the words, "Trump was right about
everything."

Dipietro, who has donated to the real estate mogul's campaign, said if Trump
was convicted in the New York case it would give him "even more desire to
knock on a few more doors to get (people) to come out and vote" in November.

The expected re-run of the 2020 contest between Trump and President Joe Biden
will be held on November 5.

Elvis Presley's 1957 hit "Jailhouse Rock" was among the tracks blasted out to
the Wildwood crowd of thousands.

Pick-up trucks and Jeeps adorned with giant flags supporting Trump and
banners denouncing Biden patrolled the coast road beside the rally site, as a
large contingent of police kept watch nearby.

Danielle Janik, 56, had driven almost three hours to the rally from
Pennsylvania, a swing state that likely will be a must-win for either
candidate come November.

"Cohen's untrustworthy and I think he's trying to make a name for himself,"
said Janik, a full-time caregiver attending her first Trump rally.

Even if Trump, facing four criminal cases, were to be convicted, "There is
absolutely no way I'm not voting for (him)," Janik said.