Trump Knocks Biden Again
Former President Donald Trump remains relentless in his critiques of President Joe Biden, as he shifts his focus to Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he portrays as a far-left extremist and ineffective leader.
Trump has aligned with fellow Republicans in branding Harris as a “San Francisco radical” and criticizing her performance as Biden’s “border czar.” His campaign’s initial ad against her highlights the immigration issues under Biden’s administration, accusing Harris of being “dangerously liberal.”
Despite this focus on Harris, Trump continues to intertwine critiques of Biden into his speeches. At a rally in Atlanta, he disparaged Biden’s debate performance, referring to him as “choking like a dog” and dismissing his departure from the race as an “undemocratic takeover.” Trump suggested that Biden’s exit was akin to a coup, a jab that also implied concerns about Biden’s age.
This fixation on Biden may reflect uncertainty among Republicans who recently hoped Democrats would reconsider Biden as their candidate. Trump’s rally in Minnesota saw him fixated on Biden, prompting the Harris campaign to question if Trump had lost sight of his current opponent.
Though Trump insists he wants to move forward, his rhetoric still targets Biden’s past actions and performance, including frequent references to Biden’s golfing and other personal jabs. At the same time, Trump is honing his strategy against Harris, portraying her as a “California socialist” pretending to be a moderate and criticizing media for presenting her as a serious contender.
The Trump campaign’s comments on Harris have been controversial, with some remarks perceived as racially insensitive. Trump’s criticism of Harris’s identity and past policies, such as her past support for defunding the police and abolishing ICE, aims to portray her as inauthentic and radical. Despite Harris’s own changes in policy positions since taking over as the Democratic nominee—such as her shift on gun control and fracking—Trump continues to label her as “fake” and “ultra-left.”
Trump’s strategy appears to be to link Harris’s policies and record with Biden’s administration while asserting that Harris is even more radical than Biden. This framing is central to Trump’s pitch, positioning Harris as a more extreme version of Biden’s failed policies.
Republicans are cautious about focusing too much on Biden as the election approaches. They aim to define Harris as a greater threat while Democrats emphasize Trump’s divisive rhetoric and track record as disqualifying for office. With polls showing a tightening race, the battle over each candidate’s record and perceived authenticity is likely to intensify in the coming months.
