Former president remarks about Kamala Harris identity stirred debate and provoked strong audience reactions
Donald Trump held his first rally in Pennsylvania since the assassination attempt on his life in Butler on 13 July. The rally took place at the New Holland Arena, Harrisburg, where the former president addressed a crowd of supporters.
“This is my first rally since Butler,” Trump told the crowd. “We’re going back to Butler, by the way.”
Trump appeared on stage shortly after 7 pm on Wednesday and spoke for approximately 90 minutes. During his speech, he acknowledged the woman whose quick thinking with a chart may have saved his life during the Butler shooting incident. The chart operator, whom Trump described as “a computer genius,” was invited on stage and received an embrace and a kiss on the cheek from Trump.
Security was tight around the venue, with a noticeable presence from the Secret Service, Pennsylvania State Police, Capitol Police, and TSA. This heightened security came after increased scrutiny of the Secret Service following the July 13 shooting incident.
Trump opened his rally by recounting the assassination attempt, paying tribute to Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the shooting. He praised the bravery and quick action of those involved in saving him.
The day had already been eventful for Trump’s campaign. Earlier, he attended the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Chicago, where he sparked controversy by accusing the host of being “rude” and questioning Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity. These comments led to gasps and mixed reactions from the audience.
In Harrisburg, Trump launched his campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris, criticising her stance on immigration and fracking. “Harris has stated repeatedly that she supports banning fracking,” Trump said. “Now she’s denying it.”
Earlier in the day, during the event in Chicago, Trump further caused a stir by questioning Harris’s ethnicity. He stated, “I’ve known [Harris] indirectly for a long time. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black.”
Kamala Harris, speaking in Houston at a Black sorority event, dismissed Trump’s remarks, calling them “the same old show” and stating, “The American people deserve better.”
Trump reiterated his intention to return to Butler, although he did not specify a date. Meanwhile, the Harris campaign confirmed that she and her vice-presidential pick would be visiting Philadelphia on Tuesday next.
