Trump tackles Harris' economic record at rambling press conference

[August 16, 2024]  By Nathan Layne and Gram Slattery

BEDMINSTER, New Jersey (Reuters) -Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump sought to tie his Democratic rival Kamala Harris to the Biden administration's economic record on Thursday during a meandering, 80-minute press conference at his New Jersey golf club, his latest effort to blunt her momentum.

Flanked by tables stacked with assorted grocery items, Trump blamed Harris, the U.S. vice president, for the inflation that has caused the price of everyday goods to rise during President Joe Biden's term in office.

"Harris has just declared that tackling inflation will be a day one priority for her," he said. "But day one for Kamala was 3-1/2 years ago. Where has she been?"

The event was aimed at drawing a contrast with Harris, who has rarely answered questions from reporters since replacing Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket in late July.

But the press conference quickly became reminiscent of a Trump rally, with the former president leveling many of the same false claims he typically unleashes on the campaign trail and speaking for 45 minutes before taking his first question.

He insulted Harris repeatedly, saying she is "not smart." When a reporter noted that some Republicans have urged him to focus on policy, rather than personal attacks, he said, "I think I'm entitled to personal attacks."

"She certainly attacks me personally," Trump said.

Trump noted that Harris has called him and his running mate JD Vance "weird," a criticism made viral by Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.

He also dismissed the suggestion that he alter his approach, telling reporters, "I have to do it my way."

Harris' entry into the race has galvanized Democrats, and polls show she has erased the lead Trump had enjoyed over Biden.

The Harris campaign sent out a mock "media advisory" ahead of Trump's press conference with the headline, "Donald Trump to Ramble Incoherently and Spread Dangerous Lies in Public, but at Different Home," a reference to his Bedminster estate.

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

The grocery staples Trump used as props included household brands like Wonder Bread, Oreo cookies, Folgers coffee and Campbell's soup.

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Golf Club, in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., August 15, 2024. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Bread and coffee prices have actually fallen over the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly Consumer Price Index. Food costs more broadly are now experiencing an inflation rate comparable with when Trump was president - between zero and 2% a year.

Their substantial price rises in 2022 and 2023, however, have pushed them about 20% to 30% above their levels when Trump left office.

TRUMP ALLIES RETURN TO CAMPAIGN

Earlier on Thursday, the Trump campaign announced five hires, including Corey Lewandowski, who served as Trump's first campaign manager during his successful 2016 campaign. Lewandowski voiced his excitement, posting on X: "Let Trump, Be Trump!"

A campaign official, who requested anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters, said the campaign needed more "soldiers" in the race's closing months and that the hires were not indicative of any broader shakeup.

Other than Lewandowski, who will be part of the senior leadership team, the hires will largely work in communications and rapid response, according to another person familiar with campaign operations. The person added the campaign had been severely understaffed in that area.

Lewandowski was forced out of Trump's 2016 bid in the months before the election, though Trump later said he regretted it. Lewandowski was later forced out of a pro-Trump super PAC in 2021 after a donor's wife accused him of unwanted sexual advances.

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

"It's a sign that we want to close it out," he said.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery in Washington and Nathan Layne in Bedminster, New Jersey; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh, James Oliphant and Dan Burns; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Howard Goller and Daniel Wallis)

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