We’re less than three weeks to the 2024 presidential election, and Donald Trump is growing more unhinged by the minute. In this week alone, he’s said enough outrageous things that would hurt any other candidate in the polls. Somehow, he escapes unscathed.
In two interviews this week – one with Bloomberg, the other with Univision – the Republican presidential nominee referred to COVID-19 as the “China virus,” claimed we are headed toward World War III, mispronounced Vice President Kamala Harris’ name and downplayed the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
Despite his repeated gaffes and increasing incoherency, the former president is polling just below the Democratic nominee in terms of support. ABC News’ 538 is projecting Harris beating Trump in the polls 48.4% to 46.3%.
Early voting is underway in multiple states. As undecided voters mull their decision, I implore them to ask themselves if this is what they want back in the White House.
Trump dances after supporters faint during town hall
Trump started off the week at a town hall in Pennsylvania moderated by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. Early on in the night, two supporters needed medical personnel. His response?
Trump told his crew to play the music “nice and loud”.
Then, for 39 minutes, Trump swayed while his favorite songs played. The playlist included “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor, “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People and “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown. He walked off the stage to “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses. “Memory” from the musical “Cats” rounded out the night.
At 78, Trump would be the oldest president in our nation’s history – something that becomes more apparent every day. He doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue.
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The next day, when talking about his Supreme Court nominees with Bloomberg at the Economic Club of Chicago, Trump made a comment about the age of his appointees.
“You tend to put them in young,” Trump said. “Only stupid people put old.”
Trump jokes about family of Georgia woman who died because of abortion ban
Right before a Fox News town hall in Georgia, he joked about the family of Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old woman who died after doctors delayed necessary care due to the state’s six-week abortion ban. To Trump, that’s an acceptable punchline.
“Amber Thurman’s family have come out on a press call, and they’re doing what’s called a prebuttal to our town hall right now,” Fox News host Harris Faulkner told Trump before the event began.
“Oh, that’s nice,” he said. “We’ll get better ratings, I promise.”
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It shouldn’t have to be said, but death should never be a joke.
It’s especially vile when you remember that the overturning of Roe v. Wade happened because of Trump − something he has bragged about on the campaign trail.
Trump said he’s the ‘father of IVF’
He has repeatedly tried to obscure his record on abortion rights. At the same Fox News town hall, that extended to in vitro fertilization, a practice that has come into question in the post-Roe era.
“I’m the father of IVF, so I want to hear this question,” Trump said when asked about the procedure. No, no one is really sure what he means by that.
Trump previously expressed support for in vitro fertilization in the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court decision that threatened it. The Republican Party could do something about it, but no: A bill to protect access to the procedure is stalled in Congress.
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Trump continues spewing lies and hate about immigrants
During his interview with Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait, Trump doubled down on his claim that a Venezuelan gang has taken over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, despite the mayor calling this story “grossly exaggerated.”
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Then, on Wednesday, he would not take back his false claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating pets when asked about it during a town hall for Latino voters hosted by Univision.
“I was just saying what was reported, that’s been reported – and eating other things too, that they’re not supposed to be,” Trump said.
These stories are harmful to the communities they purport to be about. It is shameful that Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, refuse to apologize for spreading these falsehoods.
No matter where Trump goes, he says something awful. We as a country deserve better than an overgrown, spoiled oligarch who can’t stop spouting hate.
Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter: @sara__pequeno
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: Trump spends speeches spewing hate. He can’t help himself
