Trump attacks Harris over inflation and economy in remarks at his golf club | World News

The aim of the event was to draw a contrast to Harris, who has barely answered questions from reporters since she replaced Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket in late July.

But the press conference quickly became reminiscent of a Trump rally: The former president made many of the same false claims he usually makes on the campaign trail and spoke for 45 minutes before answering his first question.

He repeatedly insulted Harris, saying she was “not smart.” When a reporter noted that some Republicans had urged him to focus on policy rather than personal attacks, he said, “I think I have a right to personal attacks.”

“She is certainly attacking me personally,” Trump said.

Trump noted that Harris had called him and his running mate JD Vance “weird,” a criticism that went viral from Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.

He also rejected suggestions that he would change his approach, telling reporters, “I have to do it my way.” Harris' entry into the race has electrified Democrats, and polls show she has closed Trump's lead over Biden.

The Harris team sent out a mock “press release” before Trump’s press conference with the headline “Donald Trump will talk nonsense and spread dangerous lies in public, but in another home,” a reference to his Bedminster estate.

Harris is scheduled to give a speech on economic policy in North Carolina on Friday.

The staple foods Trump used as props included well-known brands such as Wonder Bread, Oreo cookies, Folgers coffee and Campbell's soup.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly consumer price index, prices for bread and coffee have actually fallen over the past year. Overall food prices are currently experiencing an inflation rate comparable to that of Trump's presidency – between zero and two percent per year.

However, significant price increases in 2022 and 2023 will put them about 20 to 30 percent higher than they were when Trump left office.

Trump's allies return to the election campaign

Earlier Thursday, the Trump team announced the hiring of five new staff members, including Corey Lewandowski, who served as Trump's first campaign manager during his successful 2016 campaign.

Lewandowski expressed his enthusiasm and posted on X: “Let Trump be Trump!”

A campaign official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters said the campaign team needs more “soldiers” in the final months of the campaign and that the new hires are not a sign of a broader restructuring.

Except for Lewandowski, who will be part of the leadership team, the new hires will work primarily in communications and rapid response, according to another person familiar with campaign operations. The person added that the campaign is severely understaffed in that area.

Lewandowski was pressured by Trump to drop out of his 2016 presidential bid in the months before the election, but Trump later said he regretted doing so.

Later in 2021, Lewandowski was pushed out of a pro-Trump super PAC after a donor's wife accused him of unwanted sexual advances.

At the press conference, Trump said the new hires did not represent a change in strategy and praised his co-campaign managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles.

“It’s a sign that we want to finish it,” he said.

First published: August 16, 2024 | 6:45 am IS