Trump Targets DNC with Economic Focus, Calls Harris’ Father ‘Marxist’

Former President Donald Trump is on the campaign trail this week, targeting key battleground states while the Democratic National Convention unfolds. Trump began his week with a speech in York, Pennsylvania, addressing issues such as the economy and energy just hours before major Democratic speakers took the stage.

In his remarks, Trump maintained a strong focus on economic issues while intensifying his attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris. He characterized her as a “communist,” referring to her as “Comrade Kamala” multiple times and alleging that her father, a well-known economist, is a “Marxist professor.” Trump claimed, “Can you imagine? Does anyone know that?” while suggesting that Harris’s beliefs were influenced by her father’s teachings.

“I wonder if they knew that when they did an overthrow or a coup on Joe Biden,” Trump continued, questioning Harris’s ideological background. He claimed that if Harris were to ascend to power, the United States would face dire economic consequences, saying, “If Kamala gets in, the United States will rapidly become a deindustrialized third-world nation.”

During his speech attended by fewer than 200 people, including many from Precision Custom Components, Trump promised a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s economic policies. He stated that Harris’s plans would “punish American workers” while “rewarding outsourcers.” He pledged to cut taxes, eliminate regulations, and implement tariffs on foreign goods to bolster domestic industry.

“What I’m promising today is a total pro-American overhaul of our tax regulation and trade systems to promote domestic production and punish those who ship jobs and factories overseas or to places like Mexico,” Trump asserted, reiterating his commitment to “build American, buy American, and hire American.”

Trump also advocated for increasing U.S. oil production and expanding the nuclear power sector, while criticizing Harris’s prior support for a ban on fracking and renewable energy initiatives.

Over the week, Trump continued to speak on the economy at various events, including an earlier stop in North Carolina, where he mixed economic topics with personal jabs at Harris and former President Joe Biden.

The former president and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, plan to carry out issue-focused campaign events throughout the week in several contested states, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia. The campaign’s strategy focuses on spreading their ticket across significant battleground areas, with each event spotlighting different key issues.

After addressing economic topics in Pennsylvania, Trump’s itinerary includes sessions focused on crime and safety, national security, and immigration. Notably, he is scheduled to visit the southern border on Thursday, followed by events highlighting his advocacy for a “no tax on tips” policy on Friday.

This uptick in campaign activity comes as the Harris campaign recently criticized Trump for having fewer swing-state events in the preceding weeks. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, actively campaigned in key swing states earlier this month.

While Trump’s campaign has accused Harris of being evasive with the press, they have offered multiple opportunities for the media to engage with Trump’s surrogates, with the anticipation that Trump or Vance might respond to questions as well. Notably, Harris has not participated in an official interview since the first presidential debate with Biden.

Trump’s allies, such as Senator Ron Johnson, Senator Rick Scott, and Representative Byron Donalds, will be present in Chicago, hosting daily news conferences in association with the DNC. The campaign has teased the appearance of a “special guest” on Thursday, just before Harris accepts the Democratic nomination.

The Trump campaign aims to connect with everyday Americans, conveying personal stories and narratives, contrasting this approach with the Democratic National Convention’s anticipated roster of prominent figures such as former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Biden.

In the evenings, while the DNC holds its prime-time programming, Trump is slated to engage in a series of fundraisers and media events, maintaining a visible presence amidst the Democratic festivities. A campaign official asserted that the focus is on ensuring Harris does not have “free shots on goal,” signaling that the time for her initial political grace period has ended.

The Trump campaign believes they possess a compelling message, while framing the Democrats as losing ground in the political arena.