Former President Donald Trump made a return visit to Pennsylvania, where he gave a speech attacking Democratic leaders over the federal response to Hurricane Helene and baselessly suggesting that the party was working to steal the upcoming election from him. He also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for supporting taxpayer funding of gender transition care for immigrants in federal detention facilities. The rally featured wealthy benefactors such as Elon Musk, John Paulson, and Steve Witkoff, with Musk giving apocalyptic warnings and urging people to register to vote.
The rally took place nearly three months after Trump was shot in the ear by a would-be assassin at the same venue. The gunman, Thomas Crooks, was killed by law enforcement on site, and two rallygoers were injured while another was killed. Trump dedicated part of his speech to honoring the fallen attendee and those injured. He praised law enforcement for saving many lives during the assassination attempt and held a moment of silence for the victim who had become a folk hero.
During the rally, Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump described the election as a battle between good and evil, with good ultimately prevailing. Trump’s running mate JD Vance condemned Democrats for calling Trump a threat to democracy and pointed to the second assassination attempt Trump faced. Trump himself criticized the RNC chairman for focusing on the “Stop the Steal” efforts instead of traditional get-out-the-vote campaigns, claiming that the election is too big to rig and they will win.
Trump also discussed the federal response to Hurricane Helene and criticized the government for providing only $750 in assistance to flooding victims while sending billions of dollars to foreign countries. He briefly touched on local issues like promoting fracking and expressing his disapproval of Nippon Steel’s potential purchase of U.S. Steel. Looking ahead to the final month of the campaign, Trump predicted negative reports targeting both himself and Vance, but he expressed confidence in their ability to withstand the attacks and continue their campaign efforts.
Throughout the rally, Trump praised the wealthy benefactors present, calling them some of the greatest businessmen in the country. He highlighted Elon Musk as an example of the American dream, stating that if he wins the election, every child in the country could aspire to be like Musk with billions of dollars in cash. The rally attracted a large crowd and showcased Trump’s continued support among his base in Pennsylvania, a state that is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming election cycle.
