During a convoluted, 80-minute media briefing at his New Jersey golf club, Donald Trump, the Republican U.S. presidential contender, attempted to link his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris with the economic performance of the Biden administration. The occasion, marked by the display of various grocery items, saw Mr Trump laying blame on Ms Harris, the current U.S. Vice President, for the inflation that has led to elevated prices for common goods under President Biden’s rule.
Addressing the issue, Trump stated, “Harris recently stated she will address the issue of inflation on her first day, but her first day commenced three and a half years ago. What has she been up to?” The conference was designed to highlight the contrast with Harris who has infrequently interfaced with journalists ever since she succeeded Mr Biden as the Democratic frontrunner in late July.
The former president launched an array of accusations at Harris during the briefing which soon echoed the tone of a typical Trump rally, with Trump speaking for almost 45 minutes before entertaining his initial question from the press. He frequently disparaged Harris, describing her as “not intelligent.” Trump justified his personal criticisations of Harris by stating, “I believe I’m allowed to personally criticise her. She certainly does the same to me.”
Trump also referred to a comment made by Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, suggesting that Harris had labelled both Trump and his teammate JD Vance as “strange.” Rejecting advice to adjust his strategy, Trump told the media, “I must proceed in my own manner.”
Since joining the race, Ms Harris has invigorated the Democrats and polls suggest she has overcome the lead Trump previously held over Biden. Prior to Trump’s media briefing, the Harris campaign issued a satirical “media advisory” titled, “Donald Trump anticipated to rant incoherently and disseminate dangerous falsehoods in public, albeit from a different residence”, alluding to his Bedminster estate.
Harris is set to address economic policy in an upcoming speech on Friday in North Carolina. Trump previously had a habit of using familiar grocery items like Wonder Bread, Oreo biscuits, Folgers coffee, and Campbell’s soup as props. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly Consumer Price Index states that the price of bread and coffee have reduced in the past year. The inflation rate for food, in general, is now at a level akin to that during Trump’s presidency, fluctuating between zero to 2% per annum. There has, however, been an approximate rise of 20 to 30% above Trump era levels in prices for 2022 and 2023.
Former Trump campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was among five new appointments declared by the Trump campaign on Thursday. Lewandowski expressed his excitement about the campaign on social media platform X with the caption: “Let Trump, Be Trump!” An unidentified campaign official stated that these hires were to reinforce the team rather than instigate a massive overhaul in the final stages of the race.
Apart from Lewandowski, who will be incorporated into the senior leadership team, the new appointees are mainly expected to handle communications and rapid response. There was a significant staff shortage in this area, as per a source familiar with campaign operations. Lewandowski was previously barred from Trump’s 2016 campaign, and later on from a pro-Trump super PAC in 2021 due to allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards a donor’s wife.
Trump, in a press conference, said that the extra staff did not denote a change in approach and commended his co-campaign managers, Chris LaCivita, and Susie Wiles. “It’s a sign that we want to close it out,” he added. – Reuters
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