Donald Trump emphasized the significance of November’s presidential election during a rally in Ohio on Saturday, portraying his campaign for the White House as a pivotal moment for the nation.
Following his confirmation as the presumptive Republican nominee, the former president also issued a warning of potential consequences, describing a potential “bloodbath” if he is not elected. However, the context of this statement was unclear, as it emerged amidst remarks about challenges facing the US auto industry.
“Remember this date, November 5th. I truly believe it will be the most consequential date in our country’s history,” stated the 77-year-old to attendees in Vandalia, Ohio, reiterating his longstanding criticisms of President Joe Biden as the “worst” leader.
In response to what he deemed as Chinese intentions to manufacture cars in Mexico for the American market, he declared: “We will impose a 100 percent tariff on every car crossing the border, preventing their sale if I win the election.”
He continued, “If I’m not elected, it will lead to disastrous consequences for the nation – that’s just the beginning. It will be disastrous for the entire country. But they won’t be able to sell those cars.”
Following the circulation of Trump’s remarks on social media, Biden’s campaign issued a statement denouncing the former president as a “failed candidate” in the 2020 election, accusing him of escalating threats of political unrest.
“The American people will deliver another electoral defeat to him this November because they reject his extremism, violence, and thirst for revenge,” the campaign stated, alluding to the events of January 6, when Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol.
Biden reiterated these sentiments during a dinner in Washington, cautioning of “an unprecedented moment in history.”
“Freedom is facing unprecedented challenges… The lies surrounding the 2020 election and the attempts to overturn it, including the embrace of the January 6 insurrection, pose the gravest threat to our democracy since the American Civil War,” he remarked.
“In 2020, they failed, but … the threat remains,” remarked the 81-year-old, brushing aside concerns about his age for a potential second term, and adding a touch of humor to his remarks.
“One candidate’s too old and mentally unfit to be president,” he quipped about the presidential race. “The other guy’s me.”
Earlier this month, both Trump and Biden secured enough delegates to secure their party nominations in the 2024 presidential race, practically guaranteeing a rematch and paving the way for one of the longest election campaigns in US history.
One of the issues Trump is emphasizing in his campaign is the overhaul of what he criticizes as Biden’s “horror show” immigration policies, despite his previous success in pressuring Republicans to thwart a congressional bill containing some of the most stringent border security measures in decades.
On Saturday, he once again brought up the border situation as he appealed to minority groups who have traditionally leaned towards the Democratic Party.
He accused Biden of consistently betraying African-American voters by issuing work permits to “millions” of immigrants, cautioning that African-American and Hispanic Americans would bear the brunt of the consequences.
Ohio has long been viewed as a crucial swing state, but it has leaned more towards the Republican Party since Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election.
The rally took place one day after Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, announced that he would not endorse his former boss for a second term in the White House.
