Trump’s speech as it happened: Former president attacks Liz Cheney in her own backyard

A slew of Trump-allied lawmakers and state GOP officials are slated to speak ahead of the former president’s address, but Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who previously held an anti-Cheney rally last year, announced on Twitter that he was unable to make the event due to multiple flights being canceled.

“Some disappointing news: I had one delta flight cancelled. I had a backup southwest flight cancel. I had a second southwest flight delayed beyond repair. Thus, I won’t make Casper WY to see many America First friends today. I send my well wishes and my sincere regrets,” he tweeted.

After the in-person opening speakers finished their remarks, Gaetz appeared via telecast to speak to the crowd. He began by urging rally attendees to elect Hageman over Cheney, saying, “In Washington, D.C., there is terrible corruption, and President Trump fought against the corrupt establishment each and every day so that we could all live better lives.”

“You deserve a congresswoman who will fight your battles, who will win them, who will advance your causes, and who will tell the truth in service of the great people of your state,” he said. “Liz Cheney, she is the swamp. She’s Nancy Pelosi’s puppet. The darling of special interests and lobbyists and a failed warmonger.”