During a turbulent news conference on Thursday, former President Donald Trump revealed a crucial insight: ‘I’m very angry at her.’
Trump’s ire was directed at Vice President Kamala Harris, whose recent entry into the general election race has left him feeling disoriented and nostalgic for his previous campaign’s dynamics — the one where he was challenging President Joe Biden.
The former president’s disarray was evident in his self-pitying and volatile remarks delivered at his New Jersey golf club, raising concerns about the future of his bid to return to power.
Trump’s brash and unconventional style won him the Oval Office in 2016, captivating grassroots Republicans with his anti-establishment rhetoric. However, eight years later, his familiar act is wearing thin. The reality is more stark as he faces a new campaign against a younger, more dynamic opponent, rather than the aging Biden. Trump’s failure to concentrate on key issues like the economy is frustrating his strategists and missing opportunities to exploit Harris’ weaknesses. This allows the vice president to gain momentum and address Biden’s polling shortcomings.
Another Strange Public Appearance
Nearly every Trump event now seems like an attempt at damage control for a previous misstep. Thursday’s news conference was meant to rectify the mishaps from his North Carolina trip on Wednesday, where Trump dismissed his aides’ request for an ‘intellectual’ economic speech and instead resorted to personal attacks on his opponent.
Trump’s team made efforts to support him on Thursday by presenting grocery items like Cheerios, coffee, and ketchup, along with charts highlighting rising costs under Biden. However, Trump quickly derailed, falsely accusing Democrats of illegally replacing Biden with Harris, blending grievances about energy and rent costs in a jumbled tirade.
In an attempt to stay on message, Trump occasionally followed his prepared remarks with his finger, but his speech frequently diverged into erratic shifts. He claimed that current global conflicts and rising car insurance rates would never have occurred under his presidency, while a growing swarm of flies, drawn to breakfast sausages left in the heat, added to the surreal nature of the event. The setting of his private golf club seemed incongruous for an address meant to highlight everyday Americans’ struggles.
Trump reacted defensively to suggestions from prominent Republicans, including Nikki Haley, to shift his focus from personal attacks on Harris to more pressing voter issues. He expressed frustration over Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, mocking his approach and voiced his anger over perceived injustices against him.
Despite the controversies and erratic behavior, Trump retains a strong base of supporters and remains a formidable contender for a political comeback, potentially becoming only the second one-term president in history to return to office. While his unorthodox style appeals to many of his followers, it risks alienating moderate, suburban swing voters who played a crucial role in his 2020 defeat and will be essential in the upcoming election.
Renewed Concerns About Trump’s Suitability for Office
Trump’s erratic rhetoric during his recent news conference vividly highlighted the intense frustration he has been displaying in public since Biden exited the race, and Harris capitalized on it with energetic rallies and large crowds.
With Biden’s departure from the race following a debate that amplified concerns about his suitability for a second term, Trump’s own focus issues are now raising doubts about his readiness to return to office.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, former Trump White House communications director, observed on CNN’s ‘AC360,’ ‘Donald Trump is not the Donald Trump of 2016. He seems slower, meandering, and low-energy, struggling to make coherent points. Against Biden, his contrast may have made him appear more vibrant, but it’s not effective against Kamala Harris, who is younger and more energetic.’
CNN political commentator Scott Jennings, who worked in the George W. Bush White House, praised Trump’s focus on high food prices but noted that Trump veered ‘way off course’ during his news conference. Jennings emphasized that Trump needs to stay focused and decide how he wants to approach the remainder of his campaign.
Despite advice, Trump showed no inclination to change, telling reporters, ‘Now you’ll say he ranted and raved … I’m a very calm person, believe it or not.’
In contrast to his claim, Trump’s Thursday appearance was marked by a series of off-topic rants—revisiting the Hillary Clinton email controversy, discussing peculiar topics like ‘bird cemeteries’ supposedly caused by wind farms, boasting about his relationship with China’s President Xi Jinping, and railing against prosecutors over charges related to the 2020 election and classified documents.
The Harris Launch
The Harris campaign is taking full advantage of Trump’s frequent outbursts. Following Trump’s New Jersey appearance, the vice president’s team responded with a cheeky ‘Statement on Trump’s … Whatever that was.’
The shift in focus to Harris was evident on Thursday when President Biden and Vice President Harris appeared together at a formal event for the first time since Biden effectively stepped back from his reelection campaign. Harris led enthusiastic cheers in suburban Maryland as they promoted a significant agreement with major pharmaceutical companies aimed at reducing drug costs for seniors. ‘It is my profound honor to serve alongside this extraordinary leader, President Joe Biden,’ Harris declared.
Biden appeared visibly touched by his reception and praised Harris as someone who would make ‘one hell of a president.’ The event highlighted Harris’ strategy to share in the Biden administration’s notable achievements while countering Trump’s attempts to link her to policies that have contributed to inflation and economic dissatisfaction among working Americans.
On Friday, Harris is set to deliver an economic address in North Carolina, responding to Trump’s recent remarks in the crucial swing state. Her speech is anticipated to include proposals aimed at combating what she sees as price gouging by major supermarkets and a plan to reduce housing costs, including $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. The backdrop of these proposals is a populist effort to cast Harris as a dedicated advocate for working Americans against powerful corporate interests. As she highlighted in the context of a recent pharmaceutical deal, ‘My entire career, I have worked to hold bad actors accountable and lower the cost of prescription drugs.’
However, Harris’ plans are likely to stir controversy, with critics already accusing her of endorsing price controls that have failed in other contexts. This leaves room for Trump to mount a strong counterargument. Yet, the former president, who has always relied on his own instincts as his best advocate, now seems to struggle with coherence in his approach.
‘I have to do it my way,’ Trump declared on Thursday.
