A week after his assassination attempt, Donald Trump returns to the campaign

The Republican candidate was cheered in a packed hall of 12,000 spectators in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a key state he won in 2016 but which Joe Biden took from him in 2020.

Buoyed by his triumph at the Republican convention and the crisis shaking Joe Biden’s candidacy, Donald Trump promised on Saturday July 20 a “tsunami” Republican at his first campaign rally since being the victim of an assassination attempt.

Appearing without the white bandage that covered his entire ear in the last days, but with a more discreet dressing, the Republican candidate was cheered in a packed sports hall of 12,000 spectators in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a key state that he won in 2016, but that Joe Biden took from him in 2020.

“I took a bullet last week for democracy”Donald Trump said at the beginning of his speech, to defend himself against recurring accusations of extremism regarding his rhetoric and his political project, while reaffirming without proof that the 2020 election had been rigged.

He promised “a monumental tidal wave” in favor of the Republicans in the upcoming November elections and mocked Democrats “who don’t know who their candidate is,” assuring that Joe Biden would have an IQ of “50”, “60”Or “70”.

Donald Trump, after his near-death experience, has cast aside his intended turn toward unity and launched into the divisive rhetoric that has marked his political career. He has lavished insults, calling Joe Biden a “stupid” and of “weak old man”and Kamala Harris of “crazy”.

Backed by his running mate JD Vance, originally from the neighboring state of Ohio, and who presents himself as a spokesperson for a downgraded America, Donald Trump seeks to cement his base in this northern region that has suffered from deindustrialization, like the city of Detroit. He has multiplied promises of tax cuts, the fight against inflation and import taxes to protect the “made in America” ​​label.