Former President Donald Trump held a rally in northeastern Pennsylvania, where he swerved between focusing on the economy and delivering personal attacks and insults. He repeatedly claimed he was better looking than Vice President Kamala Harris and diverged often from the scripted remarks. Trump seemed to struggle to adjust to his new opponent after Democrats replaced their nominee, Joe Biden, with Harris just four months before the November election. His campaign appearances have mostly consisted of insults rather than policy discussions.
Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania targeted conservative, white working-class voters near Mr. Biden’s hometown, a pivotal battleground state where he hopes to win back the White House. He criticized Democrats for inflation, particularly attacking Harris on economic issues and likening her to communist measures against price gouging. Trump proposed signing an executive order to address high prices on his first day as president and accused Harris of being anti-fracking, predicting financial ruin for Pennsylvania if she wins.
Despite Trump’s attacks, Harris’s campaign has tried to soften her stance on fracking, stating that she would not ban the practice. Some Democrats in Pennsylvania acknowledge the challenges but believe that the economy is the primary concern for most people in the area. Both Harris and Trump have scheduled appearances in the state, with Trump visiting a nuclear fuel container plant in York and Harris starting a bus tour in Pittsburgh. Trump’s Saturday rally in Wilkes-Barre was his fifth at the arena, where he has had victories in past elections.
While some of Joe Biden’s loyal supporters in cities like Scranton were initially upset to see him step aside for Harris, they have since embraced the new Democratic ticket. Diane Munley, a supporter of Biden, has become enthusiastic about Harris and the campaign. However, some voters, like Robert A. Bridy, a laborer from Shamokin, continue to support Trump due to his perceived working-class appeal and his tough stance on issues like border control. Trump’s supporters see him as a fighter who takes care of business without hesitation. The election in Pennsylvania is tight, with both campaigns vying for support in the state.
