Former President Donald Trump made a rare appearance in California, specifically in the liberal city of Coachella, where he took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris and the state’s Democratic leadership. Despite California being a reliably blue state, Trump used his visit to criticize the state’s struggles with issues like homelessness, water shortages, and affordability, tying them to Harris’ record as a former senator and attorney general. Trump’s visit to California comes at a crucial time as the presidency hangs in the balance in battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
While Trump is almost certain to lose California again, his visit presents an opportunity to mobilize his base of supporters in the state for upcoming races and engage with media in the Los Angeles market, the second-largest in the country. Trump’s visit to Coachella was part of a larger campaign trail that also included stops in Nevada and Arizona, states that he narrowly lost to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Despite knowing that California is unlikely to swing in his favor, attendees at the rally were energized by the chance to see Trump in person and connect with like-minded individuals who support his policies.
California serves as a valuable resource for campaign fundraising, with Trump offering photo opportunities priced at $25,000 and a “VIP Experience” for $5,000. During his 80-minute speech, Trump touched on various Republican talking points, including illegal immigration, homelessness, and water rights battles in the state. Trump’s continued feud with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom was on full display, with Trump threatening to withhold federal funding for fighting forest fires if Newsom did not side with farmers in the water rights dispute.
Trump’s visit to California was seen by Republicans as a move to energize the conservative base in the state and potentially increase his total votes to secure a popular vote victory in the next election. California has long been a Democratic stronghold, and Trump’s relationship with the state has been contentious, with the former president often using California as a symbol of what he sees as wrong in America. Despite Democratic Governor Newsom touting the state’s economic success, Trump focused on criticizing California’s issues, portraying them as a failure of Democratic leadership.
Overall, Trump’s visit to California served as an opportunity for the former president to connect with his supporters in a heavily Democratic state and lay the groundwork for potential future political campaigns. While the state may not be up for grabs in the next election, Trump’s presence in California signals his intent to maintain a strong presence in national politics and continue to engage with his base of supporters across the country.
