On Wednesday, Donald Trump participated in a Fox News town hall with Sean Hannity, promoting his 2024 campaign to a lively audience in Pennsylvania. Trump, who is preparing for a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris next week, described the event as an early debate with her, despite her not having confirmed participation.
During the town hall, Trump urged voters to support him and criticized Harris, President Biden, and Democrats, alleging that her nomination was the result of a “coup.” Unedited sections from the event featuring questions from Trump supporters are scheduled to air on Hannity Thursday night.
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Trump on Immigration
Reiterating familiar immigration themes, Trump accused Harris of advocating for “open borders” and claimed she was the “border czar” under Biden. He stated, “It’s the worst border in the history of the world.” While Harris never endorsed open borders, she did have a role in investigating the root causes of immigration issues.
Trump asserted that “21 million” illegal migrants have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border during Biden and Harris’s time in office, linking many of them to criminal behavior. However, this figure lacks substantiation, as illegal immigrants do not qualify for Social Security or Medicare benefits. Immigration officials noted nearly 10 million encounters, a number that doesn’t reflect successful entries.
Trump on Fracking
Trump criticized Harris for her past opposition to fracking, emphasizing its importance in Pennsylvania. “You have no choice,” he said, urging voters to back him for continued fracking. Though Harris once opposed fracking, she has shifted her stance, allowing it under a clean-energy framework.
Trump on Harris’s Nomination
Trump claimed Harris’s rise to the Democratic nomination was “unfair” and termed it a “coup,” citing her minimal primary support when she ran against Biden. He suggested her nomination was unjust, overlooking the party’s internal rules for candidate selection.
Trump on the Economy
During the event, Trump celebrated his tax cuts, arguing they were crucial to preventing significant tax increases. He posited that Harris aims to impose steep taxes, though her plans target high earners and corporations, not those earning under $400,000. Trump’s prior predictions of economic downturn have been met with skepticism as the economy shows resilience.
Trump on Terrorism
Claiming there were no acts of “radical Islamic terror” during his presidency, Trump criticized Biden’s foreign policies while discussing recent Hamas attacks. His assertion contradicts documented incidents of terrorism that occurred under his administration.
Trump on His Debate Skills
As he gears up for his debate with Harris, Trump reflected positively on his previous debates, asserting he performed well against Biden and predicting he would maintain a lead over Harris as well.