Kamala Harris called out Donald Trump Friday for canceling interviews and public appearances, saying that Trump may not have the stamina for another term as president.
Speaking at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Harris referenced recent reports from Trump’s campaign that the former president is exhausted, reminding the crowd that Trump also pulled out of a second debate with her.
“He is ducking debates and canceling interviews. Come on,” Harris said, smiling as the audience booed.
“And check this out: His own campaign team recently said it is because of exhaustion. Well, if you are exhausted on the campaign trail, it raises real questions about whether you are fit for the toughest job in the world,” Harris added as the partisan crowd cheered.
Kamala Harris: He is ducking debates and canceling interviews. His own campaign team recently said it's because of exhaustion. If you're exhausted on the campaign trail, it raises real questions about whether you are fit for the toughest job in the world. pic.twitter.com/hBWwuCE1vz
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 18, 2024
When he was president, Trump often faced criticism for skipping important functions, such as a 2018 visit to a World War I cemetery in France with other allies. But he was still campaigning vigorously then—something that isn’t the case now.
Later on Friday, Trump fired back at Harris, accusing her of ducking events.
“She should have been last night with the Catholics,” Trump said, referencing the Al Smith dinner, a bipartisan charity event in New York Thursday night that Harris didn’t attend.
“So all they do is put out sound bites. Tell me when you’ve seen me take even a little bit of a rest. I’m not even tired, I’m really exhilarated. You know why? We’re killing her in the polls, because the American people don’t want her,” Trump added. “She didn’t pass her bar exam. She’s not a smart person. She’s not a person that should represent our country.”
Trump is big mad about Kamala Harris saying he's exhausted: "She should've been last night with the Catholics ... I'm not even tired. I'm really exhilarated ... she's not a smart person." pic.twitter.com/wlQvVHv3IR
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 18, 2024
Many of the interviews that Trump has pulled out of are those where he would face tougher, unbiased interviewers, such as CBS’s 60 Minutes, CNBC’s Squawk Box, and NBC News. In contrast, the Al Smith dinner is a lighthearted event where the speakers usually make jokes, and Trump used his speech to make a bitter, profanity-laden rant against his political opponents in a room full of Catholic priests.
With the election only weeks away, every action from Trump and Harris is being closely scrutinized by voters and media outlets. Pulling back on public appearances, media interviews, and another presidential debate would bring any candidate negative attention, let alone the oldest candidate in history, who refuses to release his medical records.
