With just two days left in his third presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump took an unconventional approach in a Pennsylvania rally, where he expressed regret over leaving the White House, reiterated baseless claims of voter fraud, and made contentious comments about reporters. The remarks underscore the intensity with which Trump is closing his campaign and reflect his ongoing claims that the 2020 election was “stolen” — a narrative he has extended to the current election.
In his speech at Lititz, Pennsylvania, Trump diverged from his prepared remarks on policy issues to reflect on his time in office, declaring, “I shouldn’t have left.” Recalling his administration’s focus on border security, he said, “We had the safest border… I shouldn’t have left.” This sentiment echoes what he reportedly told aides after his 2020 defeat, suggesting he was reluctant to leave the White House, saying at the time, “How can you leave when you won an election?”
Trump says he “shouldn’t have left” the White House after the 2020 election: “I shouldn’t have left. I mean, honestly” pic.twitter.com/QNCkOiHNE7
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 3, 2024
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Trump’s regret at leaving office served as a segue into his longstanding grievances. His speech painted a picture of a country in decline under President Joe Biden, asserting that only he could reverse the perceived downturn. In this final campaign stretch, Trump has amplified his attacks on Democrats, whom he called “demonic,” and has frequently dismissed polls unfavorable to him, including a recent Des Moines Register poll that shows him trailing in Iowa.
Throughout the rally, Trump revisited familiar themes from his previous campaigns, but this time with an added intensity. Addressing security measures in place at his rallies, Trump made a controversial remark about the media, saying, “To get to me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news, and I don’t mind that so much.” Although some of his supporters laughed, his comments about reporters, paired with his ongoing hostility toward the press, raised concerns about incitement.
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, attempted to clarify the former president’s remarks, claiming Trump’s comments were meant to underscore his frustration with what he perceives as media bias rather than to incite harm. Cheung’s statement, however, did not address Trump’s statement about never having left office.
As Election Day approaches, Trump’s rhetoric has taken on an increasingly defiant tone, raising questions about whether he will accept the election results should he lose. He has continued to cast doubt on the legitimacy of any outcome unfavorable to him, suggesting that a loss would only occur due to “cheating.” He has specifically targeted mail-in voting and extended polling hours as forms of potential fraud, even as his own party has supported such measures in certain states to increase voter turnout.
In his closing appeal to voters, Trump leaned heavily on his core issues: immigration, economic recovery, and his opposition to “woke” politics. But his off-script comments reflect a candidate unwilling to shift his narrative. Instead of focusing solely on policy, Trump has chosen to revisit old battles, casting himself as a victim of a corrupt system.
For Trump, who often says he speaks “the truth” when he is off-script, his Lititz rally epitomizes his campaign’s tone: an unpredictable mix of policy assertions and personal grievances. As voters prepare to head to the polls, Trump’s final days on the campaign trail are likely to leave a lasting impression, regardless of the outcome.
Featured image via screengrab
