Rep. Madison Cawthorn stood up from his wheelchair at a Trump rally in North Carolina
- Rep. Madison Cawthorn stood up from his wheelchair at a Trump rally in Selma, North Carolina.
- Cawthorn pulled himself up with the help of two aides and propped himself up on a metal walking frame.
Rep. Madison Cawthorn stood up from his wheelchair at a Donald Trump rally in North Carolina on Saturday.
"My friends, this country can change very quickly. And it may seem impossible, people tell me that it's impossible to change the direction of our country. That it's impossible to root out the corruption in our government," Cawthorn said in his speech.
Two aides then helped him to stand as he propped himself up on a metal walking frame.
"But my friends, God spared my life. He has given me the strength to stand before you today, so do not lecture me on what is impossible!" Cawthorn said to the cheering crowd.
"My fellow patriots, Americans are in the business of doing the impossible because, with God, all things are possible," he said.
The Republican congressman has used a wheelchair since a car accident left his lower body paralyzed in 2014.
Former Florida judicial appointee Ron Filipkowski wrote on Twitter that the dramatic moment was reminiscent of televangelists.
The 26-year-old congressman from North Carolina had stood during speeches before, including at the 2020 Republican National Convention, when he recited the pledge of allegiance.
During his speech on Saturday, Cawthorn spoke about fighting "dark forces" controlling the federal government and urged supporters to "put Donald Trump back in command in the White House."
He also called for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to the White House, to be jailed and the impeachment of President Joe Biden.
Trump praised Cawthorn at the rally, telling the crowd "man, I love him," according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
"He loves his country and he loves his state, and I'll tell you that he's respected all over the place," Trump said, according to the outlet. "He's got a big voice, Madison Cawthorn."
Cawthorn has generated controversy in recent weeks after he claimed that Washington's elite invited him to orgies and did cocaine in front of him. He did not provide evidence for his claims.
His comments have been mocked and criticized by other Republicans, with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying the congressman has "lost my trust."