Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, expressed his disappointment on Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, that he is no longer facing off against President Joe Biden in the election. Instead, he is now set to go up against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, whom he believes he can defeat.
Trump’s remarks came nearly a month after Biden dropped out of the race and threw his support behind Harris. The former president took a jab at Harris, suggesting that Biden’s endorsement was not a vote of confidence, but rather a sign that he “hates” her for becoming the Democratic nominee.
“Biden can’t stand her,” Trump said. “This was a coup, plain and simple. I spent a small fortune – $100 million – taking on Biden, and in the end, he just couldn’t hack it. His debate performance was lackluster, to say the least.”
Trump’s own debate against Biden on June 27 marked a turning point in the race, as the president’s struggles on stage prompted widespread calls for him to step down. Biden ultimately bowed out of the race, paving the way for Harris to enter the fray.
Since Harris launched her campaign on July 21, Trump has focused more on personal attacks than policy, which has contributed to a tightening of the polls. The latest New York Times/Siena College poll shows Harris leading in key battleground states like Arizona and North Carolina, where Democrats have struggled in recent years.
Despite his sagging poll numbers, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to take on Harris in their upcoming debate. “I’m looking forward to going up against her,” he said. “I think she’ll be a pushover compared to Biden.”
Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania was just the latest in a series of stops he has made in the state, which is expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election. Harris is also set to visit the state, kicking off a bus tour in Pittsburgh on Sunday ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The two nominees are scheduled to face off in their second debate on September 10, just under two months before Election Day. Trump’s campaign has enlisted the help of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who debated Harris in the 2020 Democratic primary, to help him prepare for the showdown.
