Former President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of attack lines Wednesday against his likely new opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called his "new victim to defeat" and accused of deceiving the public about President Biden's ability to run for a second term.
The rally in Charlotte, North Carolina marked his first public campaign event since Mr. Biden dropped out of the 2024 matchup and Harris became the Democrats' likely nominee. It wrapped up shortly before Mr. Biden delivered an Oval Office address saying he'd decided to "pass the torch to a new generation" because "nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy."
Trump opened his speech by claiming that Mr. Biden "quit" the race because "he was losing so badly in the polls," and alleged, without evidence, that "the leaders of the Democrat party, in a very undemocratic move, the bosses, they said 'either get out or we're going to throw you out using the 25th Amendment,'" a common attack line from Republican lawmakers in recent days.
North Carolina is a swing state that Trump has carried in the past, but Democrats have seen as pivotal. The former president's trip to the state shows he's still concerned about keeping it in his column this November, even as his team reaches for wins in traditionally Democratic-leaning states like Minnesota, which Trump is set to visit on Saturday.
President Trump called Harris a "far-left lunatic" and her positions on abortion and immigration "crazy." He also misspoke her name multiple times.
"Now we have a new victim of defeat: the liar Kamala Harris... the most incompetent and far-left vice president in the history of the United States," President Trump told the crowd, calling every one of Biden's catastrophes "a powerhouse of ultra-liberalism."
Harris is expected to make abortion a central part of her campaign, hoping to appeal to voters as someone who will fight against abortion restrictions. Earlier this week, she said she "trusts women to make decisions about their own bodies."
He blamed them for what he portrays as the Biden administration's failures, especially security along the U.S.-Mexico border. Speakers taking the stage before the Republican candidates on Wednesday attacked Harris' record at the border and emphasized that she is tasked with leading the White House effort to address immigration. Harris was booed several times during the speech when her name was mentioned.
"She was given this mission, she was given this job, and she failed," said Brandon Judd, former president of the National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents border patrol agents.
President Trump also blamed her for Biden's policies on the U.S.-Mexico border, which has led to a record number of arrests for illegal border crossings at the end of 2023, and reiterated his own promise to implement mass deportations with the support of U.S. and local police.
President Trump called Harris a "border czar" and said, "She's now trying to wipe the slate clean." The phrase is popular among Republicans, but it is not based on fact.
"Kamala's deadly destruction of America's border is a complete and total disqualification." "Given what she did, she should not be allowed to run for president," Trump told his supporters.
Shortly after the assassination attempt, Trump hinted he might tone down his rhetoric. He appeared to do so in a relatively restrained speech at the Republican National Convention, but has since reverted to some of his earlier language.
"You know, I have to be kind," Trump said. "They said something happened when I got shot. I've been nice. And when you deal with these people, they are very dangerous people. When you deal with them, you can't be too nice, and you really can't be, so I won't be nice if you don't mind. Is that OK?
President Trump also put on hold plans for an expected debate with Harris, saying he wanted Fox News, rather than ABC, to moderate his head-to-head match with Biden, originally scheduled for September. Biden appeared to change his message again, saying in a call with reporters that he would like to debate Harris "multiple times," but did not commit to appearing in any of the currently scheduled debates, saying he would only agree to two debates with Biden and would not participate in the debate. Harris.
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