In an unprecedented display of vitriol and bizarre behavior, former President Donald Trump’s final week of campaigning ahead of the 2024 presidential election was marred by threats, racism, misogyny and outlandish stunts that left even some of his staunchest supporters bewildered. As Trump’s Democratic rival Kamala Harris charged that the ex-president is “unstable and unhinged,” his incendiary rhetoric and antics seemed to lend credence to her assertion.
A Rally Rife with Racism
The whirlwind of controversy began at a rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden, where a comedian’s racist “joke” about Puerto Rico being a “floating island of garbage” drew immediate backlash. Rather than apologize, Trump insisted “nobody loves our Latino community and our Puerto Rican community more than I do” at a subsequent Pennsylvania rally, calling the event a “love fest” despite its deluge of anger and racism.
This is not the first time that our Puerto Rican community feels disrespected. We’re not taking that lightly.
– Yemele Ayala, Philadelphia voter
Bizarre Garbage Truck Stunt
In a bizarre attempt to spin the controversy, Trump donned a DayGlo safety vest and climbed into a garbage truck emblazoned with his campaign logo, demanding of reporters, “Do you like my garbage truck?” as the vehicle circled a Wisconsin parking lot. The surreal scene was apparently meant to symbolize Trump “taking out the trash” on election day.
Misogyny and Death Threats
Trump’s blatant misogyny was on full display as he claimed to be a “protector” of women’s reproductive rights in Wisconsin, drawing swift rebuke from VP Harris. In an interview with extremist pundit Tucker Carlson, Trump hurled sexist insults at Harris, calling her “a low-IQ individual” and “dumb as a rock.”
Perhaps most disturbingly, Trump appeared to make a death threat against Republican former congresswoman Liz Cheney, saying he’d like to see her with “a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her.” Cheney, who has campaigned with Harris, warned of the dangers of a Trump “dictatorship.”
Anyone who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president.
– VP Kamala Harris
An Unhinged Final Push
As the campaign reached its feverish final days, Trump’s rhetoric grew increasingly menacing, with promises to unleash the military on his political enemies and exact violent revenge. The spectacle left many questioning his stability and fitness for office.
With the unprecedented levels of hate and unhinged behavior on display, it remains to be seen how voters will react at the polls. But one thing is certain – the final days of the 2024 presidential race will go down in history as a shocking nadir of American political discourse. The fate of the nation hangs in the balance.
