Donald Trump has announced that his campaign raised $139 million in July, but Kamala Harris’s campaign hit back, saying the Vice President had raised $310 million. On his Truth Social media account, Mr. Trump wrote that there had never been anything like the MAGA movement, and that he was grateful for the support of “Great American Patriots.”
July had been an eventful month for the former President and he held several rallies, including one in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he faced an assassination attempt. Trump returned to Pennsylvania toward the end of the month, where he held a moment’s silence in memory of Corey Comperatore, who died when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire and tried to kill President Trump.
Mr. Trump did not say much about Vice President Kamala Harris at his Pennsylvania rally, except to call her “fake, fake, fake.” Some commentators reported large numbers of attendees leaving mid-way through the speech as Trump supporters worry that people are turning away from him, including some elected Republicans.
Many GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill are reportedly deeply concerned about the former President’s most recent performances, particularly his interview with the Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. At that event, ABC journalist Rachel Scott asked Trump if he believes Vice President Kamala Harris is a “DEI hire,” as several Republicans had suggested. Trump responded by questioning Harris’s race and stating that she had once identified as South Asian, and only recently described herself as black. “Is she Indian or is she black?” Trump asked to audible gasps from the audience.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters at press conference that an unnamed “senior Republican” told him many of his colleagues are embarrassed about the interview, with one saying to Schumer, “I guess you guys are going to win now.”
GOP lawmakers including Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska publicized their thoughts on the interview, with Murkowski labelling it “beyond unfortunate.” Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina said Trump’s comments were factually wrong because the Vice President has always embraced her mixed race identity. GOP Senator Susan Collins of Maine, said she does not plan to vote for Donald Trump.
