Although President Joe Biden will face Democratic candidate-turned-independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. swinging votes away from him in November, it looks like former President Donald Trump won't have to worry as much about the libertarian candidate taking from him.
Trump spoke at the National Libertarian Convention on Saturday in Washington to try to convince the minor political party to endorse him in this fall's presidential election.
He tried to appeal to a mixed crowd of attendees, joking, “In the last year, the government has accused me of 91 different things. So if I wasn't a libertarian before, I sure am a libertarian now.
“In the last year, the government has accused me of 91 different things, so if I wasn't a libertarian before, I sure am a libertarian now” – Trump pic.twitter.com/j2gJGQLxY6
—Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 26, 2024
However, the former president was still booed numerous times throughout his speech.
And despite his best efforts, Trump failed to win the endorsement of the Libertarian Party.
However, the libertarians did him a big favor with who they chose as their candidate in November.
On Sunday, at the end of the convention, the party announced that its delegates had selected Chase Oliver as its candidate.
Delegates have selected Chase Oliver as the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate. pic.twitter.com/M8c5IhKWez
— Libertarian Party (@LPNational) May 27, 2024
Oliver is very much a social libertarian, with positions on cultural issues that likely alienate many on the right who might otherwise consider voting for him.
Social media posts show the 38-year-old gay political activist has spoken out in favor of abortion on demand, drag queen story time and mandatory masking for business, among other things .
I would actually vote to codify Roe and Casey
Again, it's an argument for bodily autonomy and privacy.
I'm also happy to talk about how we can reduce the case for abortion without outright bans.
We also need to greatly simplify the adoption process to make it more viable.
— Chase Oliver (@ChaseForLiberty) October 5, 2022
Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver:
99% of drag queen storytimes are fine for kids. If she had kids, she says she'd take them to one and leave them there.
“It's like the Wiggles” pic.twitter.com/grNYFtAVHQ
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 27, 2024
It amazes me that the same generation that grew up on Mrs. Doubtfire is now horrified at the idea of a drag queen reading a book to children.
— Chase Oliver (@ChaseForLiberty) April 1, 2022
Just like the last year and a half, if a company asks me to wear a mask, I will.
I can't stand the government making this decision for businesses.Wearing a mask is not the worst tyranny we will encounter in this life.
There is much worse out there.— Chase Oliver (@ChaseForLiberty) July 28, 2021
If you're attacking a loving gay couple for wanting to adopt or have a child through surrogacy, don't label yourself as a “family values” supporter.
Families come in many different configurations. The most important factor is love.
This is.
— Chase Oliver (@ChaseForLiberty) December 3, 2023
Oliver has also argued that it should be legal for adults to be naked in front of children.
radio driver @AP4Liberty plays a clip on his show this morning of @LPNacional nominated @ChaseForLiberty answering a question about whether it should be legal for adults to be naked in front of children.
Oliver: “It happens every Mardi Gras”
LOOK ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/eEkQBMkUaT
— Eric John | Pizza Artist (@EricJohnArt) May 28, 2024
Maybe a few Republicans who have fallen for the NeverTrump rhetoric that the media has pushed will vote for the libertarian nominee in November, but the vast majority of conservatives who do minimal research on Oliver will not.
The Libertarian Party candidate is an open border advocate, pro-trans youth, pro-drag queen history time, pro-choice and a “former” Democrat.
Meet Chase Oliver! pic.twitter.com/YbNQ8ZXNXM
— Mayor (@Mayoralpodcast) May 27, 2024
This will be a major difference between the Biden and Trump campaigns.
Will this nomination hurt Biden more than Trump?
Democrats have admitted they are too worried with RFK Jr. driving swathes of voters away from the president.
Meanwhile, the independent candidate has long isolated himself from many conservatives by choosing to go Democrat Nicole Shanahan like his running mate.
He has also expressed his support term abortionalthough he backed down soon after.
Given the alternatives of Biden, Kennedy and Oliver on the ballot, Republicans will surely vote for Trump.