Trump and Vance campaigned together for the first time

 

Trump and Vance campaigned together for the first time

Former President Donald Trump is back on the campaign trail in Michigan, days after accepting the Republican nomination for president at the party's convention for the third time.

But this time, Trump was joined by his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, for the first time at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday evening. This represents Trump's first gathering since his assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday.

As he stepped out in front of an enthusiastic crowd, Vance wasted no time attacking his political opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Vice President Kamala Harris, she doesn't like me," Vance said. "Kamala Harris said something to the effect that I have no loyalty to this country. I don't know Kamala; I served in the US Marines and built a business. What the hell did you do besides raise money? Investigate?"

Vance went on to talk about his background, growing up in Ohio, and his family's struggles.

He returned to the stage to introduce Trump, wearing a beige bandage around his injured right ear.

Trump immediately spoke about the shooting that occurred last week, stressing that he was standing only by "the grace of God" and paying his respects to the three people who were shot during the incident.

The former president then turned to the Republican National Committee, citing highlights from the rally to the speeches.

"It was just love. It was just a big love fest for four days," he said.

Trump then mocked Democrats over current questions about President Joe Biden's future, stating that Democrats "have no idea who their nominee is and neither do we."

"This is a problem, but we will see," he said. "We hope they will solve it interestingly."

Trump also criticized Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, saying he would happily run against her.

Trump turned to Project 2025, repeating his claim that he doesn't know who the participants are but admitting he "knows some" of them. He said Democrats are using the 2025 project as misinformation against him.

"They keep saying he's a threat to democracy. And I say, 'What the hell have you done for democracy?' "Last week, I took a bullet for democracy," he said.

Trump spoke for 70 minutes before speaking about Republican congressional candidates, frequently going off script and berating Democrats on topics like crime and immigration, and at times making false and exaggerated claims.

Before the rally began, some supporters told ABC News they felt the shooting humiliated Trump.

"I think that probably brought him to our level," Michigan resident Mark Hedema said.

The gathering was inside Van Andel Square, an indoor location that was easier to secure after the gunman opened fire in an outdoor location last week from a nearby rooftop. The indoor venue is a change from Trump's previous rallies this election cycle, which were primarily outdoors, weather permitting.

The square is in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, surrounded by many restaurants and hotels.

Many attendees said they came to show Trump they were not afraid after what happened last week. Some camped out overnight to get a good spot.

"He's not afraid to fight for us, and we're not afraid to fight for him," Lisa Donlin, a mother from Michigan, told ABC News.

This is Vance's first official campaign rally as part of the Republican ticket. Trump and Vance's first rally together should be seen as something other than a coincidence in Michigan, a key battleground state.

Since announcing Vance's nomination as Trump's running mate, the Trump-Vance campaign has made clear that they view the Ohio senator as crucial to their strategy to win the battleground states in the Midwest: Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

On Monday night's Newsmax show, Vance recalled his conversation with the former president when he offered him the opportunity to be vice president. Trump said, "You can help me with some of these Midwestern states, like Pennsylvania, Michigan, et cetera." "Forward."

During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention earlier this week, Vance emphasized his background growing up in Middletown, Ohio, and living in the Rust Belt.

"I promise one more thing to the people of Middletown, Ohio, and all the forgotten communities in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and in every corner of our nation: I will be the vice president who never forgets where he came from," Vance said Wednesday night.

But Vance has come a long way since his Rust Belt days. He went to Yale Law School and is now a venture capitalist in the technology industry.

In 2016, Vance released his memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," in which he shared his story of growing up in poverty in the American Rust Belt and being surrounded by violence and addiction.

A few years later, he launched his campaign for an open Senate seat in Ohio and won the general election in 2022, defeating then-Rep. Tim Ryan.

Michigan is a key state for both candidates. Biden defeated Trump in Michigan in 2020, but Trump won the state over Hillary Clinton in 2016.

The arena will be familiar to Trump, as he held a rally there in March 2019. In previous election cycles, Trump has made Michigan his last stop before Election Day.

During Trump's keynote address at the Republican National Committee on Thursday, the former president mentioned the auto industry several times to appeal to Michigan, home to several automakers. Despite Trump's pledge to bring back auto industry jobs, Trump disparaged the leadership of the UAW, saying the union leader should be "immediately removed."

"So, with all the other things going on at our border, that China is building to make cars and sell them in our country, no taxes, nothing. The UAW should be ashamed of letting this happen, and the leader of the UAW should be fired," Trump said.