Before Trump addresses thousands of fervent supporters in the pivotal swing state of Michigan, his running mate JD Vance fired up the crowd, criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I served in the United States Marine Corps and built a business. What has she done besides collect a paycheck?” he remarked about the former senator and California attorney general.
Meanwhile, Biden’s loyalists continue to defend the embattled president amidst escalating calls for him to step down due to concerns about his age and ability to serve if re-elected until 2029.
The 81-year-old president and his team publicly maintain that he will continue his campaign, though some insiders report ongoing discussions about his potential withdrawal.
Speculation is rampant about who might replace Biden. Vice President Harris seems the most likely candidate. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent progressive and former presidential contender, voiced support for Harris on Saturday without dismissing Biden.
“Joe Biden is our nominee,” Warren stated on MSNBC. “He has a significant decision to make.
But I am hopeful because if President Biden decides to step back, we have Vice President Kamala Harris ready to lead, unite the party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November.
Warren
However, some Democrats worry that a late switch could lead to disarray, jeopardizing the party’s chances in the upcoming election.
Trump’s camp, buoyed by recent favorable court rulings and Biden’s poor debate performance, is celebrating their streak of good fortune. The rally will mark a significant moment, with Trump taking the stage exactly one week after a 20-year-old gunman attempted to assassinate him from a Pennsylvania rooftop.
“I had God on my side,” Trump told the Republican National Convention on Thursday, where he solidified his control over the party and energized his supporters.
Trump’s most dedicated followers began lining up outside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday for the Saturday rally at 5:00 pm (2100 GMT).
Less than an hour before Trump’s scheduled appearance, the 12,000-capacity arena was nearly full.
Edward Young, 64, attending his 81st Trump rally, wore a T-shirt featuring the now-iconic photo of Trump pumping his fist immediately after the shooting.
“They’ve turned him into a martyr and left him alive,” Young said. “Now he’s more powerful than ever.”
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As with his convention address, which quickly transitioned from a call for unity to sharp criticism of the Biden administration, Trump is expected to attack Biden and Harris over issues like illegal immigration, inflation, crime, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, China policy, and oil drilling.
Security will be a major focus, especially in light of questions about Secret Service lapses at the Pennsylvania rally. The enclosed Van Andel Arena allows for better perimeter control, and security is anticipated to be exceptionally tight.
This rally marks Trump’s first campaign appearance with Vance, a 39-year-old US senator from Ohio, whose youth might help attract voters in key swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
