US election campaign: Trump regrets withdrawing from the White House and attacks the press

Shortly before the US presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump regrets his withdrawal from the White House almost four years ago and incites his supporters against the media. “We had the safest border in the history of our country the day I left. I shouldn’t have left,” Trump said in Lititz, Pennsylvania, obviously referring to the White House. Trump also considered the media representatives present in his speech – albeit with derision.

“I have this pane of glass here,” the Republican said, looking at a glass wall on the podium. This construct is intended to better protect him from possible attackers during performances after the assassination attempt on him in July. He then turned to the press present and said: “What we have over there is the fake news.” As the audience cheered, Trump continued: “And to get me, someone would have to shoot through the fake news. And that doesn’t bother me that much. It doesn’t bother me.” Trump regularly calls the media “enemies of the people” and threatens unwanted journalists.

Counting the votes could take a long time

Trump also used his appearance in Pennsylvania to stir up fears of election fraud without any evidence. The 78-year-old warned of a “bunch of fraudsters” who wanted to dispute his victory in the election on Tuesday (November 5th). “With paper ballots you would have the answer at nine o’clock in the evening. It’s a damn shame and I’m the only one talking about it,” he continued. Machines should never be used in elections; there should only be paper ballots. In the past, Trump has repeatedly linked voting machines to fraud without any evidence.

Trump’s propaganda is systematic. It is likely that the result of the US elections on Tuesday (November 5th) will not be known in the hours after the polls close. Postal votes in particular are delaying the counting process in some states. In US history, there have been more elections in which the winner was determined only after days. Four years ago, Trump spent days stoking false claims of voter fraud as counting dragged on in several states.

Trump amplifies claims of voter fraud

On election night, the then president declared himself the winner – and called for a stop to the counting of votes when he was temporarily ahead of his challenger Joe Biden. To this day he does not admit his defeat and spreads the lie about large-scale election fraud. His campaign against the election result culminated on January 6, 2021 when his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington, the seat of the US Congress. There are fears that Trump could take a similar approach again this time and declare himself the winner on election night, as he did back then.

Trump has increased his warnings about alleged election fraud in recent days. He is likely to use the claims to prepare for the eventuality of a defeat against his Democratic rival Kamala Harris. In the polls, the two are roughly evenly matched – it appears to be a close race. In the last few meters, Harris and Trump are trying to woo voters in the particularly hotly contested swing states. The candidate of one party does not traditionally always win there – in the states sometimes the Republicans win, sometimes the Democrats. They are considered decisive for the election.

Trump has a full program on Sunday. In the morning he appeared in the swing state of Pennsylvania. A new survey by the “New York Times” with the polling institute Siena College sees Harris and Trump each at 48 percent. Trump’s program also included events in North Carolina and Georgia. Harris also has a busy schedule. That morning she performed at a church in Detroit, in the swing state of Michigan. “In the next two days we will be put to the test. These days will demand everything we have,” she warned. She regularly warns that Trump is a threat to democracy.

Harris said she voted by mail. Her home state is California. “My ballot is on its way to California,” she said, according to the accompanying press. In a video on the X platform she called for people to vote.

US media reported that Harris will be on stage with artists Lady Gaga and Katy Perry at performances on Monday evening (local time) in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. US talk show host Oprah Winfrey is also expected. Harris has the support of numerous Hollywood stars and celebrities. Your most important supporter from this circle is probably megastar Taylor Swift.