The old Trump is back
An Attack on Donald Trump at a Campaign Rally Shocks America and the World. The Republican Now Cancels Such an Event for the First Time Since. And Returns to His Old Pattern.
Trump's call for "national unity" after the shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania last week does not last long. At his campaign rally in Michigan, he attacked the Democrats for their trade and immigration policies and personally insulted President Joe Biden. Biden has an IQ of about 70, Trump said. During his speech at the convention two days ago, he avoided direct attacks for the most part.
At his first campaign rally since the attempted assassination, Trump denied being a threat to democracy. "Last week, I took a bullet for democracy," Trump told supporters in Grand Rapids. "I am absolutely not an extremist," the ex-president added.
Trump also distanced himself from the "Project 2025" during the events, a radical program by the ultraconservative Heritage Foundation for a complete overhaul of the government apparatus and a drastic conservative turn.
Moreover, the Republican presidential candidate mocked his Democratic rivals, who are currently discussing a possible withdrawal of President Joe Biden from another candidacy. "You have no idea who your candidate is," Trump told around 12,000 supporters. Biden won the primaries, "and now they want to take it away from him," Trump argued.
It was Trump's first campaign rally since the shooting at the event on the previous Saturday and his first since his official nomination as the Republican presidential candidate at the convention this week. Trump survived the shooting at a campaign event in Butler in the state of Pennsylvania by a narrow margin. The 78-year-old was hit by a bullet near his ear. On Saturday, he wore a small, band-aid-sized patch on his right ear.
It was also the first campaign rally for Trump with his vice presidential candidate J. D. Vance. The US Senator from Ohio warmed up the crowd before Trump's appearance and spoke against Vice President Kamala Harris. "What in the world have you done, except cash a check?" Vance asked Harris directly.
Reports suggest that security measures at the event site in the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids were very strict. However, there were few visible signs of a stronger security presence. After the assassination attempt, there was criticism of the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting current and former presidents.
Trump continued his critique of President Joe Biden at the campaign rally, stating, "Biden has an IQ of about 70," amidst his attacks on the Democrats' policies. Later in the event, Trump also took aim at his Democratic rivals, asserting, "You have no idea who your candidate is," hinting at potential changes in the Democrats' nomination process.
