Trump goes on tour with his deputy Vance. No sign of the conciliatory words at the party convention. Meanwhile, Biden fights for political survival.
GREAT SPEED/WASHINGTON/dpa | Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump used his first campaign rally since the assassination attempt on his life to lash out at his stumbling opponent Joe Biden. In his first appearance with his new vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was as aggressive as ever, mocking the struggles of Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, who is facing a wave of criticism from within his own party.
Trump’s team has released details about his gunshot wound for the first time. During the assassination attempt, the bullet missed the former president’s head by less than a centimeter, Trump’s physician Ronny Jackson said in a written statement. The shot struck the upper part of Trump’s right ear, causing a wound about an inch wide. It is healing properly. Trump is generally doing well and is recovering from the attack as expected. At the same time, Jackson stressed: “It is an absolute miracle that he was not assassinated.”
In Grand Rapids, Trump again said to cheering supporters in the face of the assassination attempt: “I stand before you only by the grace of Almighty God.” For the first time, Trump presented himself at a campaign rally together with his new deputy Vance. At a Republican Nominating Convention in Milwaukee A few days ago, the delegates officially named the two candidates for the presidential election in November. “I made the right choice,” Trump said of his new partner. “He’s so good.”
Trump was elated about his party’s gathering in Milwaukee. “It was like a big, beautiful, four-day celebration of love.” There was no fighting, no yelling, no screaming.
Schadenfreude over Biden’s crisis
The Republican, on the other hand, mocked the upcoming Democratic nominating convention in August. “You’ve got some problems. Number one, they have no idea who their nominee is.” Trump was referring to the Democrats’ revolt against their leader Biden, who is seeking a second term in the November elections. However, the 81-year-old is under enormous pressure because of his age and doubts about his mental fitness. A growing number of party members are publicly calling on Biden to drop out of the presidential race.
Trump made several jokes about the Democratic incumbent during his appearance. Biden can’t navigate a stage alone. “He has no idea what he’s doing.” The Republican denigrated his competitor as a “weak old man” and a “stupid person” who surrounds himself with fascists, communists and bad people.
Trump also took an offensive approach to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is considered the most likely replacement candidate if Biden withdraws from the campaign. “She’s crazy,” Trump raged. He could tell by her smile. “She’s crazy.”
Pressure on Biden grows
Meanwhile, the collective pressure from Democrats on Biden is growing. Incessantly and in ever-increasing numbers, more and more Democrats are leaving Congress to publicly call on their party colleagues to drop out of the presidential race. More than a dozen other Democrats have recently publicly called for Biden to withdraw within 24 hours. The voices are also getting harsher. One lawmaker publicly said at a recent rally that Biden no longer recognized him.
According to media reports, the party’s front line is also trying behind the scenes to convince Biden to withdraw, including the two top Democrats in Congress, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, as well as former House Speaker and still influential Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Biden’s former boss, former President Barack Obama, is also said to have expressed concerns.
Biden, who is currently isolating at his private home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, due to a corona infection and does not appear in public, seems unfazed by the uprising within the party and has announced that he will return to the campaign stage next week. According to American media, the 81-year-old no longer categorically rules out a departure from the race, given the enormous resistance within his own ranks.