At a rally in Wisconsin on Friday, former President Donald Trump described Vice President Kamala Harris as a “low-IQ person” and pledged to rescue the economy “from total obliteration.” His 90-minute speech covered various campaign topics, including the economy and foreign policy, but also included controversial remarks about press freedoms and a lengthy digression about his own communication style.
“I will stop the criminal invasion of this country,” Trump declared at the start, promising a new “golden age.”
He warned, “Can you imagine if Kamala won? You would experience a depression like in 1929.”
Trump’s rhetoric on immigration remained grim, featuring a video in which a mother blamed Harris for her daughter’s murder, claiming the accused entered the U.S. illegally. Despite extensive studies showing that immigrants do not disproportionately contribute to crime, Trump continues to make such claims a central part of his campaign.
“The day I take office, the migrant invasion ends,” he asserted, pledging to initiate “the largest deportation program in American history.” He characterized immigrants as “animals” and claimed that cities and towns have been “conquered” by them.
Since his Madison Square Garden rally, which showcased various speakers making racist and misogynistic remarks, Trump and his allies have tried to reframe his MAGA base as unjustly criticized.
“Kamala has spent the final week of her campaign comparing her political opponents to the most evil mass murderers in history,” Trump said.
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin echoed Trump’s sentiments, claiming that Harris views her political opponents as “Nazis, fascists.”
Johnson praised Trump for incorporating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. into his campaign, despite Kennedy’s exit from the presidential race as a third-party candidate in August. Johnson accused Democrats of “destroying America” and credited Trump with transforming the Republican Party into one that represents working-class Americans.
Kennedy addressed the crowd, receiving cheers and chants of “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.” Although he is no longer running, he urged supporters to vote for Trump. “I prayed to God for the chance to combat the chronic disease epidemic, and God sent me Donald J. Trump,” Kennedy said.
Republican Congressman Bryan Steil called on attendees to support a state constitutional amendment that would prohibit non-U.S. citizens from voting in Wisconsin elections. This proposal aims to prevent local municipalities from allowing non-citizens to participate in elections and comes amid rising concerns among Republicans about voter fraud linked to non-citizens.
“We have an opportunity on Tuesday to vote ‘yes’ on an amendment to ensure that Wisconsin’s elections are for U.S. citizens only, do you agree?” Steil asked the audience.
Concerns about non-citizens voting have resonated with Trump supporters. Jason Tyler, a Republican activist at the rally, expressed fears about illegal voting by non-citizens in the upcoming presidential election. He plans to volunteer as a poll observer and look for signs of non-U.S. citizens casting ballots, stating, “I would start by checking if someone can’t speak English.”
Tyler acknowledged the challenges he faces in contesting a ballot, saying, “It’s very difficult. I can only ask for their information and report anything suspicious. I can’t stop someone from voting.”
He also voiced frustration over accusations that Trump’s comments about immigrants are racist, defending the former president. “It’s ridiculous,” Tyler said, noting that his wife, who immigrated from the Philippines, supports Trump. “She loves Donald Trump.”
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