Former President Donald J. Trump took the stage at his last scheduled rally before the presidential debate and didn’t hold back in mocking President Biden’s preparations. In a fiery speech in Philadelphia, Trump suggested that Biden might be using medical supplements to boost his performance.
Mocking Biden’s study sessions, Trump pantomimed quotation marks with his hands, implying that his opponent was sleeping and getting a shot in the rear to be “good and strong” before the debate. Trump, who has consistently attacked Biden’s mental capacities, seemed to be preparing his supporters for a formidable opponent by accusing Biden of using a chemical boost.
Despite months of challenging Biden to debate, Trump has now sought to reframe low expectations that he has set. He criticized the debate rules and lack of a live audience, hinting at the potential for a boring or exciting showdown.
At the rally, Trump consulted the crowd for strategy advice and engaged in his usual themes of attacking Biden’s policies. He claimed that Black and Hispanic Americans have been most affected by undocumented immigrants and suggested creating a separate fighting league for migrants coming to the U.S.
The rally in Philadelphia, a key battleground state, drew a predominantly white crowd that did not reflect the surrounding diverse neighborhood. As both campaigns target the city and its suburbs, the fight for Black voters remains crucial.
With the debate looming, Trump’s bold and controversial remarks continue to stir up the political landscape as he aims to secure support from all corners of the country.
