Trump Calls Harris ‘Not Intelligent’ at N.C. Rally, Pledges Prosperity if Re-elected

On August 14, former President Donald Trump addressed a lively crowd at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina, emphasizing his commitment to lowering living costs for Americans. He confidently stated that his policies would significantly improve the lives of the populace.

As Trump approached the podium around 4 p.m. EDT, he was greeted by enthusiastic chants of “USA, USA.” He took the opportunity to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to her as a “radical-left person from San Francisco,” while claiming he is still leading in the polls despite recent changes in his political opponents.

Trump opened his remarks by referencing Joe Biden, contrasting his sentiments with praise for his previous competition. “Biden is a very angry man,” he declared, suggesting that recent events have altered the Democratic landscape dramatically. He accused the Democratic Party of executing an unfair political maneuver against Biden, stating, “They took it away from him. They usurped it.” He insisted, “That’s not supposed to happen,” characterizing such actions as a threat to democracy.

Trump claimed that Biden won an impressive 14 million votes, while Harris received none. He stressed that the Democratic Party’s issues are symptomatic of a much larger problem, saying they pose a danger to the electoral process.

Despite these challenges, Trump expressed confidence in reclaiming the presidency. He declared, “We’re going to defeat Kamala Harris in an historic landslide and take the White House back,” adding that he felt she was the “most unpopular vice president in our country’s history.” He further criticized Harris’s track record, stating, “Everything Kamala Harris touches turns bad.”

During his speech, Trump highlighted the impact of inflation on American families, declaring that it is the most pressing issue in the upcoming election, followed closely by concerns about crime and border security. He argued that the current administration has pushed the United States into a dire economic situation, metaphorically describing it as a “third-world nation.” He lamented that “the American dream is dead” and vied for voters’ support by promising to return affordability to America.

To achieve this, Trump proposed a series of aggressive measures, including shutting down the border, deporting illegal migrants, and restoring U.S. energy independence. He outlined his economic plan, mentioning that he would not tax Social Security benefits or income from tips—all aimed at making life easier for the American people.

Trump posed a rhetorical question to his audience: “Are you better off now under Biden-Harris than you were under a man named President Donald Trump?” He assured them that choosing him again would result in economic growth.

He critiqued Harris’s performance as the “border czar,” claiming she has failed and yet now aspires to oversee the economy—a sector she has not played a significant role in previously. He characterized her and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as having negligible experience in the private sector, dubbing them “beyond socialists.”

Further, Trump took aim at the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of multiple international conflicts, claiming responsibility for the crises in Ukraine and Gaza, and labeling the withdrawal from Afghanistan a catastrophic failure. He suggested that inflation rates were a direct result of their policies, which he claimed have worsened economic conditions for many.

Trump expressed that under his leadership, poverty levels among Black and Hispanic communities reached historic lows, an achievement he alleged was overturned by the current administration. “We handed them the strongest economy in history,” he reiterated, stressing that the downturn came swiftly after their policies took effect.

His vigorous address also included warnings about rising costs in all areas, from energy to food and housing, consistently placing blame at the feet of Biden and Harris, whom he accused of hypocrisy regarding immigration and welfare policies.

In a direct attack on Harris, Trump accused her of shunning interviews and press conferences due to her perceived lack of intelligence, likening her to Biden in 2020, who he claimed was also kept from the public eye. “Democrats have destroyed the nation,” Trump exclaimed, warning of permanent damage should Harris win election.

Trump promised that concerted efforts would be made to combat inflation and reduce the cost of living. He asserted, “Prices will come down, and they will come down fast,” repeating his commitment to promoting energy independence through increased drilling initiatives.

He went on to propose tax reforms supportive of seniors and vowed to preserve Social Security and Medicare against the threats he associates with immigration policies under Harris’s proposed reforms. Trump accused her of intending to allocate government resources to undocumented migrants while veterans suffer at home.

Continuing his speech, Trump pledged to take decisive action on immigration, claiming he would lead the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. He also aimed to maintain the Affordable Care Act unless a better alternative is presented and took credit for previously lowering insulin prices.

Trump concluded with an optimistic vision for the future, asserting that if voters restore him to office, every American family would experience success, opportunity, and a renewed sense of hope.

With less than three months until the November 5 election, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance from Ohio, appeared in Michigan, while Biden and Harris prepared for their first joint appearance since Biden exited the presidential race.