Former President Donald Trump made a bold attempt to reboot his struggling presidency during a recent rally-style event at the Mount Pocono casino in northeastern Pennsylvania. Amidst ongoing Republican election defeats and mounting criticism regarding his disconnect from the economic struggles faced by many Americans, Trump delivered a speech laden with false claims about the economy and xenophobic remarks aimed at immigrants and nations he derogatorily referred to as “shithole countries.”
Trump's rally, designed as a platform to reclaim the economic narrative, was met with the patriotic sounds of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” and a crowd enthusiastically chanting “USA! USA! USA!” However, as the event progressed, Trump quickly reverted to his familiar campaign style, diverging from his teleprompter to launch into insults and dismiss concerns about affordability as a “hoax.”
In a rare moment of message discipline, Trump stated, “I have no higher priority than making America affordable again,” while standing beneath a blue sign that read “Lower prices, bigger paychecks.” He asserted, “That’s what we’re going to do. The Democrats caused the high prices, and we’re bringing them down.” Despite this claim, Trump's administration has faced accusations of being increasingly out of touch with the daily struggles of average Americans.
While Trump has enjoyed lavish praise at cabinet meetings, his connection with the voter base has waned. This year, he has held only five rallies, none since July, as he shifted his focus toward overseas trips and his luxury golf courses. The president has consistently downplayed the rising concerns about inflation, referring to them as a “con job” and distancing himself from accountability.
In a recent interview with Politico, Trump was asked to grade the economy, to which he confidently replied, “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.” This statement mirrors President Biden’s earlier attempts to promote “Bidenomics,” as both leaders struggle to connect with the American public regarding economic issues.
During the event, Trump engaged in familiar rally antics, including a mocking impression of Biden, which incited shouts of “autopen!” from the audience. He also criticized the media for allegedly neglecting coverage of the southern border, which he claimed to have secured. Notably, Trump's remarks turned racist as he launched an attack on Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a Muslim refugee from Somalia, stating: “Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is. With her little turban. I love her. She comes in, does nothing but bitch.” The crowd responded with chants of “Send her back!” despite the absence of any evidence supporting his claims regarding her immigration status.
Trump also referred to a controversial concept known as “remigration,” a term popularized by European white nationalists advocating for the reversal of immigration. He claimed, “For the first time in 50 years, we now have reverse migration – which means more jobs, better wages, and higher income for American citizens, not for illegal aliens.” This rhetoric aligns with Trump's continued focus on immigration as a crucial issue in his political narrative.
In a surprising confirmation of a previously denied statement from his first term, Trump referred to Haiti and African nations as “shithole countries” during his speech. He recounted a past meeting with senators, questioning why the U.S. only accepted immigrants from such nations while suggesting a preference for immigrants from “nice countries” like Norway and Sweden.
The primary focus of Trump’s speech revolved around the escalating cost of living, a significant concern for many Americans. According to a November survey by the Associated Press-Norc Center for Public Affairs Research, only 33% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s handling of the economy. Despite his claims, Trump has often blamed President Biden for inflation, even as his own tariff policies have contributed to rising prices.
Inflation surged following Trump’s announcement of extensive tariffs in April, which he now admits may have impacted prices negatively. To address the fallout, he announced a $12 billion bailout for farmers affected by the trade war with China and other nations. However, Trump continued to defend his tariffs with unsubstantiated claims, stating, “We’ve taken in hundreds of billions of dollars – really trillions.”
Despite Trump’s assertions, the reality is that prices have risen under his administration. The consumer price index indicates that average prices were 1.7% higher in September compared to January, with overall prices increasing by 3% year-over-year. Attempting to shift the blame, Trump displayed charts illustrating price trends, stating, “They gave you high prices. They gave you the highest inflation in history, and we’re bringing those prices down rapidly.”
As the event concluded, Trump lingered on stage, engaging with the crowd as the Village People’s “YMCA” played, and he showcased his signature dance moves. Looking ahead to upcoming midterm elections, Trump noted the need to ramp up campaigning, highlighting his chief of staff’s reminder that he is crucial for Republican success. The crowd erupted in chants for “four more years!” despite his constitutional limitation on seeking a third term in 2028. “Well, you know what?” he said, “We have three years and two months to go and you know what that is? In Trump time, three years and two months is called eternity.”