Trump Struggles to Adapt to New Playbook with Harris as Likely Democratic Candidate
PHOTO: JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES
According to a report from CNN’s Alayna Treene, the shift from President Joe Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrats’ likely presidential candidate is causing difficulties for Donald Trump during his campaign rallies.
Reporting from St. Cloud, Minnesota, where Trump held a rally late Saturday night, Treene highlighted a “notable” moment in the ex-president’s speech where he appeared to be “struggling.” Speaking with CNN hosts Victor Blackwell and Amara Walker, Treene detailed how Trump seems uncertain about how to effectively target Harris.
“He also made some personal attacks on her, going after her laugh when he was comparing her to perhaps Margaret Thatcher, saying Margaret Thatcher didn’t laugh like that,” Treene explained. This comparison appeared to be an attempt by Trump to belittle Harris, but it came off as awkward and forced.
Treene further emphasized Trump’s difficulty with the new political landscape. “But I also want you to listen to this moment because I found this very interesting as well. I think it shows how Donald Trump is struggling a bit to adapt to the new playbook,” she added before playing a clip of Trump. In the clip, Trump rambled, “Sarcasm doesn’t work when you have a crooked press. You know, when I imitated him — because of Biden — I didn’t want to waste a lot of time because it’s over now, right? He’s gone, I told you he would be. I told you he wasn’t going to make it!”
Treene found this moment particularly telling. “Victor and Amara, I found that really notable honestly because I think it exemplifies what I’m hearing in my conversations with Donald Trump’s senior advisers, which is they are still figuring out the best way to define Harris,” she said.
This uncertainty reflects a broader challenge for Trump’s campaign as they attempt to shift their strategy from attacking Biden to targeting Harris. The transition has not been smooth, with Trump’s usual tactics falling flat against the vice president.
As the campaign progresses, Trump and his team will need to develop a more coherent and effective strategy to address Harris’s candidacy. Until then, moments like these at rallies highlight the growing pains and adaptation struggles of the former president’s campaign.
