Trump’s hopeless campaign: 5 takeaways from a dismal speech | STAFF COMMENTARY

Donald Trump stood next to a table stocked with groceries and had an opportunity to connect with Americans struggling to pay the bills.

He could have talked about the housing crisis, record-high credit card debt or the higher cost of car insurance during his press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey.

But the Republican presidential candidate spent about 45 minutes painting a gloomy picture of a “failing nation in decline,” a nation that will only survive if he’s elected. It was a stark contrast to Kamala Harris’ campaign, which has been described as full of hope and joy. Trump is campaigning on hopelessness, claiming the country will see another Great Depression unless he returns to power.

Here’s what you missed:

Trump’s solution to credit card debt

Americans owe a record $1.14 trillion on their credit cards, according to a report last week from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Many cardholders are delinquent, especially those who are 18 to 39 years old, the report said. More than half of all American consumers carry a balance and use their credit cards to make ends meet. That means most voters rely on credit cards to buy groceries, gas and other basic items. Meanwhile, credit card interest rates are going through the roof, higher than 20%.

When Trump was asked what he would say to voters struggling with credit card debt, he told them to vote for Trump on Nov. 5, and he’ll make it go down. He did not say how.

Trump said he’s entitled to attack Harris

Trump’s supporters and allies have encouraged him to stay on message and off personal attacks. With a favorable electoral map for Republicans and the economy as the top issue for voters, Trump would have the political wind at his back if he focused on issues that matter.

But at two press conferences and in media interviews, he has gone heavy on personal attacks, including questioning when Harris “turned Black.”

When asked Thursday afternoon if he would capitulate to those requests, he said he would not. He also said his attacks are fair play because Democrats “want to put me in prison.” He maintained his innocence, saying he did “nothing wrong” and blamed his multiple criminal cases on “crooked politics” and “crooked judges.”

“I’m very angry at her (Harris) that she’d weaponize the justice system against me and other people, very angry at her,” Trump said. “I think I’m entitled to personal attacks.”

He said Harris has thrown personal attacks his way, too. “She actually called me weird,” Trump said.

Trump blames Biden for car insurance and mortgage hikes

Trump pointed out that car insurance rates have spiked by 50% since President Joe Biden took office. That includes a 19% climb in the last year, according to Consumer Price Index data released Wednesday.

Mortgage rates were 2% when Trump left office in 2021, partially because the Federal Reserve had cut its federal funds rate to boost the economy.

Rates reached 7.79% in October but fell to 6.49% last week.

While Trump blamed Biden and Harris for the increases, he did not say what he or his policies would do to lower the costs. He said he would drive down prices without offering a plan.

In a policy speech Friday in North Carolina, Harris will roll out a four-year plan to lower housing costs.

Trump didn’t encourage a ceasefire deal

When Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month, he did not encourage a ceasefire.

Instead, he said he told Netanyahu to “get your victory” and get the conflict over with.

“It has to get over with fast, but have victory,” Trump said Thursday in New Jersey. “Get your victory and get it over with. It has to stop. The killing has to stop.”

Trump’s day one priorities

Trump claimed there’s a lot he can do in one day to fix America’s problems, but the top two priorities on the list are closing the border and a mass deportation of immigrants who have entered the country illegally.

He said immigrants will be allowed to enter the country legally.

Trump claimed that Harris was the person responsible for the border and never went there. Though Biden did assign Harris to work with countries in Central America to address causes of migration, she was never ultimately responsible for the border. That responsibility remains under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security.

Candy Woodall is the opinion editor at The Baltimore Sun. She wants to know your thoughts on the presidential race and can be reached at cwoodall@baltsun.com.

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