WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Saturday repeatedly veered from discussing the economy to making personal attacks, including proclaiming multiple times that he was more attractive than Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump alternated between addressing economic policies and launching insults and imitations of President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron during a rally in northeastern Pennsylvania.
He appeared to have difficulty transitioning to a new opponent after Democrats changed their nominee. In recent campaign appearances, he veered off course from the expected topics to focus on familiar attacks and insults.
While criticizing Democrats for inflation, Trump diverted from his prepared speech to comment on Vice President Harris. He also criticized her and the Biden administration’s handling of inflation issues.
Trump’s rally in Wilkes-Barre aimed to appeal to conservative, white working-class voters in a key battleground state. He hopes to secure their support near Biden’s hometown of Scranton.
His remarks came as Democrats gear up for their national convention, where Harris is set to be welcomed as the nominee. Her replacement of Biden has energized Democrats but also posed a new challenge for Trump.
Trump attacked Harris on the economy, linking her to the administration’s inflation problems and criticizing her proposals. He also raised concerns about her stance on fracking, predicting negative consequences for Pennsylvania if she were to win.
He also criticized her laugh, communication skills, and appearance, claiming he was more attractive than her.
Despite his focus on Harris, Trump also touched on other topics such as the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and imitated Macron’s French accent.
He concluded by emphasizing his own intelligence and dismissing any claims of rambling during his speech.
Following the rally, Harris and Trump both embarked on campaign tours in different parts of Pennsylvania. Trump’s running mate also had scheduled appearances in Philadelphia.
Biden supporters in Wilkes-Barre expressed mixed feelings about the Democratic nominee being replaced by Harris but ultimately showed support for the new ticket.
Overall, the rally highlighted the divided opinions and tensions surrounding the upcoming election in Pennsylvania.
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Price reported from New York. Associated Press writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.
