Former President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to make two public appearances today. He will first address the evangelical Faith and Freedom Coalition in Washington, D.C., followed by a campaign rally in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, President Biden is spending the weekend at Camp David, the presidential country retreat.
The upcoming presidential campaign is at a crucial juncture, with Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump set to engage in an early debate on CNN. Recent polls indicate a close race, with Mr. Biden holding a slight lead for the first time since March. The election forecast suggests that the outcome is highly uncertain at this point.
In terms of fundraising, the Trump campaign has been able to catch up to and even surpass the Biden campaign. Mr. Trump raised more funds than Mr. Biden for the second consecutive month in May and started June with a stronger financial position. Notable donors, such as Timothy Mellon and Michael Bloomberg, have also made significant contributions to support their respective candidates.
Throughout the campaign, Republicans, conservative media, and the Trump campaign have consistently portrayed Mr. Biden as frail and incompetent due to his age. This narrative has been reinforced through selectively edited videos shared online. Despite previously attacking Mr. Biden, Mr. Trump now acknowledges him as a formidable opponent who should not be underestimated.
Mr. Trump’s upcoming speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition event will mark his ninth appearance with the group, dating back to 2011. Last year, when he addressed the coalition, he was one of many Republican candidates seeking support from the Christian right. However, he now stands as the presumptive nominee, with former rivals like Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley no longer in contention. Instead, potential running mates like Elise Stefanik and Tulsi Gabbard are now vying for the spotlight alongside other Trump allies.