Donald Trump appeared to trip up on saying the name of the legendary rock band The Rolling Stones while speaking to crowds at a rally over the weekend.
Trump, the presumed 2024 Republican presidential nominee was in Ohio on Saturday for a campaign stop at the Buckeye Values PAC rally. As he addressed the crowd, he discussed two songs at the event: Sam & Dave's 1966 classic "Hold On, I'm Comin'" and the Stones' enduring 1969 hit "You Can't Always Get What You Want."
When Trump asked rally attendees if they liked the Sam & Dave track, they responded with a resounding "yes." He then compared the two songs as he attempted to use the lyrics of one to attack his opponent, President Joe Biden.
Appearing to muddle his words, the real estate mogul said: "Who liked the Rolling. OK, you had the Rolling song, Stone song, which we liked. That was for first. You know that song, right? 'You Can't Always Get What You Want,' which made no sense, you know. But it was a good song, right? It made no sense."
Donald Trump at a rally on March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. The former president appeared to muddle his words as he discussed the Rolling Stones at the event. Donald Trump at a rally on March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. The former president appeared to muddle his words as he discussed the Rolling Stones at the event. Scott Olson/Getty Images
"'You Can't Always Get...' They asked me. I say, 'No, they're talking about the Democrats,'" Trump continued. "I said, 'The Democrats can't always get what they want.' So that way at least saved it. But it was a good song. Or the Sam & Dave.
"Who likes the second [song] better, 'Hold On I'm Coming,' yes? Do you like it better? Both good. The other does bring back some good memories, in all fairness. And it's really no wonder that Joe Biden and his thugs are so desperate to stop us. They only know... And you remember this, we're the only ones—and they know this—that can stop them. We're the only ones. There's nobody else around.
"If this election isn't won, I'm not sure that you'll ever have another election in this country," he added. "Does that make sense?"
This part of Trump's speech was posted by political journalist Aaron Rupar on X, formerly Twitter, where it has been viewed more than 170,000 times.
Trump, serving up an epic word salad as he struggles to see the teleprompter, has a hard time saying "the Rolling Stones" pic.twitter.com/ag3TcxwDNW — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 16, 2024
Trump is facing mounting criticism for other parts of his speech during the event, where he told rallygoers that there would be a "bloodbath" if he lost to his Democratic rival President Biden in November.
"Now if I don't get elected, it's going to be a bloodbath for the whole—that's gonna be the least of it," Trump said. "It's going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it."
Trump's comments quickly went viral and sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. While supporters of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) leader defended his "bloodbath" remarks and argued they were taken out of context, critics accused Trump of inciting violence.
Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign's communications director, told Newsweek in an email that the former president meant "economically it will be a bloodbath because Crooked Joe Biden's policies have decimated working families."
During the rally, Trump also saluted the January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters.
"Please rise for the horribly and unfairly treated January 6 hostages," an announcer said. Trump then saluted and the crowd stood as the "J6 Hostages' Song," a rendition of the National Anthem, played. The song, "Justice for All" by the J6 Prison Choir, features the voice of Trump reciting the pledge of allegiance.
Trump then opened his speech by thanking the rioters and calling them "unbelievable patriots."
"Thank you very much, and you see the spirit from the hostages, and that's what they are—hostages," he said.
More than 1,265 individuals—including Trump himself—have been charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for their alleged involvement in the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, with many already convicted and serving sentences.
Trump is accused of inciting the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building by spreading unfounded claims to his supporters that he lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden due to widespread voter fraud.
Last year, the former president was indicted on four counts by the DOJ, including conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.
Trump has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges, accusing prosecutors of attempting to derail his presidential campaign.