Former President Donald J. Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris during his recent rally in Charlotte, N.C., labeling her as radically liberal and blaming her for what he deemed as the Biden administration’s “disastrous” policies. This marks Trump’s first campaign rally since President Biden decided not to seek re-election.
In his speech, Trump sought to associate Harris with unpopular Biden administration decisions and portray her as too left-wing for moderate or independent voters. He took aim at her time as a prosecutor, characterizing her as “radical” on issues such as abortion in an attempt to undermine her appeal to voters.
Harris has been vocal about her commitment to protecting nationwide abortion rights, a stance that has resonated with many Democrats following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She is also expected to emphasize her background as a prosecutor in contrast to Trump’s legal troubles, including criminal cases and felony convictions.
During the rally, Trump struggled to articulate his views on abortion, referring to Harris as “a total radical” on the issue and falsely claiming that she supported post-birth abortion, a position not supported by any state law. He also criticized Harris for her approach to crime as San Francisco’s district attorney and her support for criminal justice reform measures like ending cash bail.
To underscore his stance, Trump highlighted his endorsement by the National Association of Police Organizations, positioning himself as the candidate for law-abiding Americans while painting Harris as being lenient towards criminals and illegal immigrants.
The rally drew a large crowd at the Bojangles Coliseum, with many attendees displaying “Back the Blue” signs in support of law enforcement. Trump’s remarks against Harris reflect a shift in his campaign strategy following Biden’s exit from the race and Harris emerging as a leading Democratic contender for the upcoming election.