Former President Donald Trump sharpened his criticisms of Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday, accusing her of advocating extreme left-wing values, particularly on immigration and abortion, and calling her a “bum.” His remarks were made during the Believers Summit, a faith-oriented event hosted by the conservative group Turning Point Action in West Palm Beach, Florida.
In his speech, Trump painted a stark picture of a potential Harris presidency, suggesting she would enforce radical policies akin to those seen in San Francisco, a city often used by conservatives as a symbol of liberal excess.
This speech marked Trump’s second public appearance since Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek re-election. Trump’s attacks on Harris seemed more focused than his earlier broad criticisms, suggesting a shift in his campaign strategy to target Harris specifically.
Trump’s rhetoric on Friday aimed to portray Harris as more liberal than Biden, particularly in areas sensitive to conservative voters. He claimed that Harris would appoint “hard-core Marxists” to an expanded Supreme Court, jeopardizing religious freedoms and other constitutional rights. He also falsely accused her of supporting a federal law that would allow late-term abortions, including after birth, a claim with no basis in reality. Harris supports legislation to protect abortion rights and restore the status quo of Roe v. Wade but has not advocated for specific limits on the procedure.
While discussing abortion, Trump reiterated his support for allowing states to set their own restrictions, including exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother—a stance that has drawn mixed reactions from anti-abortion activists. His remarks received some boos from the audience, but he emphasized the importance of winning elections, stating, “You have to go with your heart.
Trump also attacked Harris’s handling of immigration, recalling her role in addressing the surge of border crossings early in Biden’s administration. He used inflammatory language to describe immigrants, labeling them as “murderers, child predators and bloodthirsty rapists and drug dealers,” and baselessly accused Harris and the Democrats of encouraging illegal immigration to bolster their voter base.
Trump’s comments extended to foreign policy, where he accused Harris of being “hostile to Americans of faith” and criticized her for not condemning anti-Israel protests following the Hamas attacks in October 2023. He claimed, without evidence, that Harris, whose husband is Jewish, “doesn’t like Jewish people” or “Israel.” These remarks came after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where Trump reiterated his strong support for Israel.
In response, James Singer, a spokesperson for Harris’s campaign, condemned Trump’s statements, particularly his falsehoods about the 2020 election and his insults towards Jewish Americans.
Trump’s speech also coincided with the launch of a new campaign initiative aimed at mobilizing Christian voters. The program, called Believers and Ballots, focuses on grassroots organizing, encouraging supporters to engage their communities and bolster turnout for Trump in the upcoming election.
As Trump continues to campaign, his focus on Harris suggests an effort to reshape the narrative following Biden’s withdrawal from the race, positioning Harris as a key figure in the upcoming election and sharpening his attacks to energize his conservative base.
