Donald Trump is set to hold his first outdoor rally since surviving an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania last month. The rally will take place at the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame, where Trump is scheduled to speak on national security. The stage is equipped with bulletproof glass panels forming a protective wall around the podium. Additionally, storage containers have been strategically placed to create extra barriers, and snipers have been stationed on nearby rooftops for security.
This event is part of Trump's efforts to counterprogram against the ongoing Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Advisers have encouraged him to focus on policy discussions rather than personal attacks as he adjusts to running against Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race.
During the Democratic Convention, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama criticized Trump, with Michelle Obama highlighting his perceived racial biases and referencing his comments from a previous debate. Barack Obama mocked Trump's fixation on crowd sizes and portrayed him as a billionaire constantly complaining about his challenges.
Trump will be accompanied by his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, at the rally. This marks a busy week of campaigning for Trump, who has been visiting battleground states, including North Carolina. Last week, he delivered a speech on the economy in Asheville, North Carolina, underscoring the state's significance in the upcoming election.
In the 2016 election, Trump secured a comfortable victory in North Carolina. The state played a crucial role in his overall win and is once again expected to be a pivotal battleground in the upcoming 2024 election.
