Speaking to a jubilant throng at his first campaign event since his escape from an assassination attempt, Donald Trump angrily dismissed worries that he poses a threat to democracy, declaring, “Last week I took a bullet for democracy,” reports RTE.
At the event in Michigan, a swing state, he declared, “I’m not an extremist at all,” rejecting rumours that he was associated with Project 2025, a radical shadow manifesto headed by those close to him and seen by critics as an authoritarian, right-wing wish list.
He also made fun of the Democratic Party, which was under immense pressure to drop out of the presidential contest due to worries over President Joe Biden’s age and ability to serve until 2029 if re-elected.
“They have no idea who their candidate is … This man goes and he gets the votes, and now they want to take it away. That’s democracy,” Mr Trump told the 12,000-strong crowd of passionate supporters, reports RTE.
Despite deviating into his usual, discursive campaign address, the event was noteworthy in any sense as it saw Mr. Trump return to the platform precisely one week after a shooter attempted to murder him.
The Republican presidential candidate showed up with a fresh, smaller, flesh-colored bandage covering his right ear, which had been injured in the shooting incident at a Pennsylvania rally by a 20-year-old shooter that claimed the life of a bystander, reports RTE.
Despite concerns about potential breaches by the Secret Service at the Pennsylvania event, reports state that security was heavy inside the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan; nonetheless, there were little outward indications of increased law enforcement presence.
A powerful US senator has joined the chorus of those urging US President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race and let a younger Democrat to take his place.
The US senator from Ohio, JD Vance, who is running with Mr. Trump and might help win over crucial swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, made his first visit on the campaign trail yesterday, reports RTE.
Mr. Vance warmed up the audience before Mr. Trump spoke, making fun of Ms. Harris.
In Grand Rapids, fans of Mr. Trump had started to form lines in their hundreds on Friday, almost a full day before of the rally’s start.
While getting ready for his 81st Trump rally, Edward Young, 64, was sporting a T-shirt featuring the now-iconic image of Mr. Trump fist-pumping just after being shot, reports RTE.
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