Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and JD Vance criticized Vice President Kamala Harris at their first joint rally in Minnesota. They portrayed Harris as a failure, calling her a “radical left lunatic” and blaming her for the migrant crisis at the southern border. Trump warned that if Harris is elected, she would “kill Social Security and Medicare” and worsen inflation. He promised to bring back “leadership, competence, common sense, and strength.”
The rally, held at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, drew a capacity crowd of 8,000 with hundreds more outside watching on a large screen. Trump and Vance focused on attacking Harris, accusing her of being too friendly to criminals and supporting policies like defunding the police. They also criticized the media and President Joe Biden, with Trump targeting Biden for everything from speech patterns to stair navigation.
Attendees lined up early in the morning to secure a spot at the rally, with some waiting outside in the heat after the doors closed. Trump spoke for about 90 minutes, repeating his favorite topics and attacking Harris for her past support of the Minnesota Freedom Fund and alleged release of dangerous criminals. Vance also joined in the criticism, calling Harris a member of the “San Francisco lunatic fringe.”
Other speakers at the rally, including U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, emphasized the importance of turning Minnesota red in the upcoming election. Attendees wore flag-themed attire, MAGA hats, and campaign T-shirts, showing their support for Trump’s views on immigration and conservatism. Despite the energy at the rally, Minnesota Republicans face a tough challenge with Harris leading Trump in the polls.
Supporters like Debi Rancour and Cynthia Gail expressed their admiration for Trump and his policies, despite acknowledging his past controversies. Rancour described attending the rally as a “dream come true,” while Gail praised Trump for his strength and decisiveness in a divisive political climate. Others, like Tim Tuuri and Taylor Hill, came to show solidarity with fellow patriots and support Trump’s leadership.
In contrast, DFLers gathered in St. Paul to rally for Harris, with Governor Tim Walz criticizing the GOP ticket and emphasizing unity over division. The upcoming election is shaping up to be a heated battle between Harris and Trump, with both sides mobilizing their supporters and highlighting key issues like immigration, law enforcement, and healthcare.
Overall, the rally in Minnesota showcased the deep political divide in the country and the passionate support for both Trump and Harris. As the election approaches, voters will have to decide between two starkly different visions for the future of the United States.
