Novi, Michigan, October 26, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Trump Campaign Enters Final Stretch with Unique Rhetoric and High-Energy Rallies
Overview of Trump’s North Carolina Rally and Key Themes
With just days remaining before the November 5 presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump’s campaign has intensified, marked by unscripted remarks and wide-ranging commentary. At a recent rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, Trump covered a range of topics, including hydrogen-powered cars, the challenges of removing spray paint from limestone, and the success of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets.
Trump’s rally focused initially on economic themes, as promoted by his campaign team. However, the former president often shifted into diverse and tangential stories, offering personal commentary on past events and international leaders. Some political analysts suggest Trump’s unconventional speaking style and topics may impact his chances in an election predicted to be one of the closest in U.S. history.
Election Countdown and Campaign Strategies
With polls indicating a near-tie, particularly in critical battleground states, both the Trump and Harris campaigns have sharpened their strategies. Vice President Kamala Harris has focused on describing Trump as “unstable” and “unfit for office,” citing his recent rallies as evidence. Trump, however, defends his approach, calling it “the weave”—an informal tactic where he moves through various topics before returning to his main points.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s spokesperson, praised this method, describing it as a way for Trump to connect with audiences while discussing his policies. “His patented weave is a brilliant method to convey important stories and explain policies that will help everyday Americans,” Cheung stated.
Rally Highlights and Recurrent Themes
At his rallies, Trump frequently diverges from prepared remarks, often sharing personal opinions on global leaders, like referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping as “fierce,” while casting his Democratic opponents as a threat to American stability. One consistent theme is Trump’s claim that Democrats have transformed the country into a “dystopian state.” He has repeatedly criticized his opponents as “the enemy from within,” citing debunked narratives around crime and immigration.
In a Las Vegas rally, Trump expressed his disbelief over former President Barack Obama’s Nobel Prize, contrasting it with his own election victory, which he described as “bigger, better, crazier.” He also touched on themes such as border security and economic restoration but often segued into reflections on various topics, like the purported dangers of wind turbines to marine life, a claim unsubstantiated by scientific agencies.
Campaign’s Structure and Focus on Core Supporters
Aides have noted that Trump largely sets the pace of his events, choosing not to be constrained by set talking points. Recently, he appeared on podcasts, including a long-form interview with Joe Rogan, where he discussed speculative topics such as potential life on Mars and shared his musings about becoming a “whale psychiatrist.” His campaign has scheduled appearances on podcasts and other platforms to allow for extended, unfiltered dialogue with minimal scrutiny.
John Geer, a Vanderbilt University expert on public opinion, explained that Trump’s approach aims to solidify his base rather than broaden appeal. “Trump thinks what he says, even if incoherent, appeals to his base,” Geer noted, suggesting that Trump’s messaging remains tailored for those already aligned with his views.
Intensified Schedule and Notable Remarks on International Relations
With the election approaching, Trump has increased his campaign activities, appearing in six of the seven key battleground states. He often emphasizes issues of national security and manufacturing, using these as springboards for more personal anecdotes. At a rally in Duluth, Georgia, he recounted his efforts to prevent a trade dispute with France over champagne. As he spoke, some attendees began to leave the venue, perhaps signaling mixed reactions to his extended, anecdotal style.
Trump has also made headlines for spontaneous moments at rallies, such as dancing on stage in Greensboro and sharing a locker-room anecdote about the late golfer Arnold Palmer. He frequently critiques Harris’s celebrity endorsements, contrasting their popularity with his own support base. He also expressed admiration for global leaders such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, distinguishing them from domestic political opponents and supporters of Harris.
Closing Message and Public Reactions
Trump’s final campaign days are expected to continue reflecting his unconventional style, combining policy discussions with freeform commentary. His speech in Greensboro exemplified this approach, where he reflected on his proposed economic measures, including an interest exemption on car loans, comparing its simplicity to the invention of the paper clip.
In his concluding remarks, Trump appeared to acknowledge his divergence from prepared material, proudly noting that he had avoided the teleprompter for an extended period. This spontaneous approach is emblematic of Trump’s campaign style, which aims to energize his core supporters as he moves into the final stages of his presidential bid.
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