WILKES-BARRE, Pennsylvania – Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump asserted on Saturday that he believes Vice President Kamala Harris will be easier to defeat than President Joe Biden in the upcoming election, even as some polls suggest she has a slight lead in the race for the White House.
Speaking at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Trump labeled Harris as “radical” and a “lunatic,” emphasizing his view that she is positioned far to the left on key issues. He specifically criticized her past stance on banning fracking, a vital industry in Pennsylvania, though her campaign has recently signaled opposition to such a ban.
Trump’s remarks come as Harris is set to embark on a bus tour across western Pennsylvania, with stops beginning in Pittsburgh on Sunday. This tour precedes the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off on Monday in Chicago.
Despite some political analysts warning that personal attacks on Harris could alienate moderate voters, Trump continued his criticisms, even mocking her distinctive laugh. He also expressed dissatisfaction with her recent appearance on the cover of Time magazine, claiming, “I’m much better looking than her.”
During his lengthy speech, Trump reiterated false claims of election fraud from 2020, dismissed climate change concerns, and defended his plan to impose tariffs on foreign goods, despite widespread economic skepticism.
The rally, held at the Mohegan Sun Arena, saw a nearly full capacity of around 8,000 attendees, though the crowd began to thin after the first hour. Trump spoke for over 100 minutes in total.
Meanwhile, Harris’ campaign dismissed Trump’s speech as the “same old show,” filled with “lies, name-calling, and confused rants,” according to spokesperson Joseph Costello.
Pennsylvania is expected to play a critical role in this year’s election, with its 19 electoral votes potentially tipping the balance. The state was pivotal in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, with Trump narrowly winning in 2016 and Biden flipping it back to the Democrats in 2020.
Since Biden ended his reelection bid last month, Harris has narrowed the gap in Pennsylvania, now leading Trump by more than two percentage points, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Both campaigns have heavily invested in advertising in Pennsylvania, with over $42 million spent in the state since late July, more than any other battleground state. Harris’ campaign has announced plans to spend at least $370 million on digital and television ads nationwide between Labor Day and Election Day.
As the race intensifies, Trump is scheduled to speak on the economy in York, Pennsylvania, on Monday, while his running mate, Senator JD Vance, will hold an event in Philadelphia. Harris, along with her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will campaign across Allegheny and Beaver counties on Sunday, marking their first joint campaign tour since launching their ticket in Philadelphia earlier this month.