Ex-president donald trump he returned to the battleground state of Michigan campaign days later accepting the Republican nomination for president at the party convention for the third time
This time, however, Trump joined his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, for the first time at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday evening. It's Trump's first rally since his assassination attempt at a demonstration in Pennsylvania last Saturday.
Walking before an enthusiastic crowd, Vance wasted no time attacking his political opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Vice President Kamala Harris, I don't like her,” Vance said. “Kamala Harris said something to the effect that I have no loyalty to this country. Well, I don't know Kamala, I served in the United States Marine Corps and built a business. What the hell have you done besides cash the check? “
Vance went on to talk about his background, growing up in Ohio, and his family's struggles.
Later, he returned to the stage to introduce Trump, who was wearing a beige bandage around his injured right ear.
Trump immediately spoke about last week's shooting, reiterating that it is only being held up by the “grace of God” and paying his respects to the three people who were shot during the incident.
Afterward, the former president turned to the RNC, highlighting the crowd's highlights to the speeches.
“It was just love. It was just a big four-day love fest,” he said.
Afterward, Trump taunted Democrats about the current questions President Joe BidenAFP Future, remarking that Democrats “have no idea who their candidate is and neither do we.”
“That's a problem, but we'll see. Hopefully they'll make it a little interesting,” he said.
Trump also took a swipe at Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, saying he “would be happy to run against her.”
Trump addressed Project 2025, reiterating his claim that he does not know who they are but admits that he “knew some” of the people involved. He argued that Democrats are using Project 2025 as disinformation against him
“They keep saying it's a threat to democracy. I say, 'What the hell have I done for democracy?' Last week I took a bullet for democracy,” he said.
Trump spoke for 70 minutes before introducing Republican candidates for Congress.
GOP Senate candidate Sandy Pensler was at the rally and announced that he would drop out and support his opponent Mike Rogers in today's rally primary.
“Trump endorsed Mike Rogers tonight. So did I. Mike is going to do a heck of a job as a senator,” Pensler said.
Trump often went off script, chastising Democrats on issues like crime and immigration, sometimes making false and exaggerated claims.
He also continued with false claims that stole the 2020 election.
“Bad things happened last time. We won't let them happen this time,” he said.
Trump later suggested, without any evidence, that the election could be stolen again.
Before the rally began, some supporters told ABC News they felt the shooting humiliated Trump.
“I think maybe it brought him down to our level,” Michigan resident Mark Heidema said.
The rally took place inside the Van Andel Arena, an indoor arena easier to secure after last week's outdoor arena gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. The indoor venue is a change from Trump's previous rallies this election cycle, which have been mostly outdoors, weather permitting.
MORE: Trump recounts assassination attempt during RNC speech: 'I'm not supposed to be here'
The arena is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, surrounded by several restaurants and hotels.
Many attendees said they came to show Trump they were not afraid after what happened last week. Some camped overnight outside the compound to get a good spot.
“He's not afraid to fight for us and we're not afraid to fight for him,” Lisa Donlin, a mother from Michigan, told ABC News.
This is Vance's first official campaign rally as part of the GOP ticket. It shouldn't be seen as a coincidence that Trump and Vance's first rally together is in Michigan, a key battleground state.
The Trump-Vance campaign has made it clear since Vance was announced as Trump's running mate that they see the Ohio senator as crucial to their strategy to win the Midwestern battleground states: Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
On Newsmax Monday evening, Vance recalled his conversation with the former president when he offered him the chance to be his vice president, saying Trump told him, “You can help me in some of these middle states west, like Pennsylvania, Michigan, etc. forward.”
During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention earlier this weekVance highlighted his background growing up in Middletown, Ohio, and living in the Rust Belt.
“I promise you one more thing, to the people of Middletown, Ohio, and to all the forgotten communities in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and every corner of our nation: I will be a vice president who will never forget where he came from.” , Vance said Wednesday night.
But Vance has come a long way since his Rust Belt days, having attended Yale Law School and worked in the tech industry as a venture capitalist.
In 2016, Vance published his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which shared his story of growing up in poverty in America's Rust Belt and being surrounded by violence and addiction.
A few years later, he launched his campaign for the open Ohio Senate seat, winning the 2022 general election, defeating then-Rep. Tim Ryan.
MORE: Who is JD Vance, the Ohio senator and Trump's running mate?
Michigan is a key state for both candidates. Biden defeated Trump in Michigan in 2020, but Trump won the state in 2016 over Hillary Clinton.
The arena will be a familiar place for Trump, as he held a rally there in March 2019. Trump made Michigan his last stop before Election Day in his previous election cycles.
During Trump's introductory speech at the RNC on Thursday, the former president mentioned the auto industry several times in an attempt to appeal to Michigan, home to many automakers. Despite Trump's pledge to restore auto industry jobs, Trump disparaged the leadership of the United Auto Workers, saying the union leader should be “fired immediately.”
“So with all the other things going on at our border, and China building them to make cars and sell them in our country, no taxes, no nothing. The United Auto Workers should be ashamed of themselves of allowing this to happen and the leader of the United Auto Workers should be fired immediately,” Trump said.
UAW, what endorsed Biden in Januaryreplied to a post on X Thursday night, saying “.@realDonaldTrump is a scab and a billionaire and that's who he represents. We know whose side we're on. Not his.”
Trump and Vance campaigned together for the first time originally appeared abcnews.go.com
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