Preview

Trump vows a return to site of assassination attempt; Obamas endorse Harris

Please log in to download this media. Not registered? Register now!
Metadata
  • Trump vows a return to site of assassination attempt; Obamas endorse Harris
  • July 26, 2024
  • Article Body Text WASHINGTON — <p>Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Friday he will return to the Pennsylvania town where he narrowly survived an assassination attempt, while Vice President Kamala Harris capped her weeklong bid to become the Democratic presidential nominee with former president Barack Obama's endorsement.</p> <p>&quot;I WILL BE GOING BACK TO BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR A BIG AND BEAUTIFUL RALLY,&quot; former president Trump wrote on his Truth Social site, without providing details on when or where the rally would take place.</p> <figure><img src="https://gdb.voanews.com/01000000-0aff-0242-28c0-08dca6730094_w1600_r0_n_s.jpg" /><figcaption>FILE - Republican presidential candidate former president Donald Trump has vowed to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was shot in the ear during a campaign rally, July 13, 2024. Moments after he was struck, he thrust his fist into the air and yelled &quot;Fight!&quot;</figcaption></figure> <p>Harris, the first Black woman and first Asian American to serve as vice president, swiftly consolidated Democratic support after President Joe Biden tapped her to succeed him Sunday. A handful of public opinion polls this week have shown her beginning to narrow Trump's lead.</p> <p>A Friday <em>Wall Street Journal</em> poll showed Trump holding 49% support to Harris' 47% support, with a margin of error of three percentage points. A poll by the newspaper earlier this month had shown Trump leading Biden 48% to 42%.</p> <p><strong>'Couldn't be prouder to endorse you'</strong></p> <p>Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, endorsed Harris on Friday, adding their names to a parade of prominent Democrats who coalesced behind Harris' White House bid after Biden, 81, ended his reelection campaign under pressure from the party.</p> <p>&quot;We called to say Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,&quot; Obama told Harris in a phone call posted in an online video by the campaign.</p> <p>Smiling as she spoke into a cellphone, Harris expressed her gratitude for the endorsement and their long friendship.</p> <p>&quot;Thank you both. It means so much. And we're gonna have some fun with this too,&quot; said Harris, who would also be the nation's first female president if she prevails in the November 5 election.</p> <p>Barack Obama, the first Black U.S. president, and Michelle Obama remain among the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, almost eight years after he left office. A Reuters/Ipsos poll early this month showed that 55% of Americans — and 94% of Democrats — viewed Michelle Obama favorably, higher approval than Harris' 37% nationally and 81% within the party.</p> <p>The endorsement could help boost support and fundraising for Harris' campaign, and it signals Obama is likely to get on the campaign trail for Harris.</p>
  • Content Type Text
  • Language English
  • NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
  • Subtitles / Dubbing Available No
  • Network VOA
  • Embargo Date July 26, 2024 19:47 EDT
  • Byline Reuters
  • Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English
Related records