Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate in the United States, asserted on the 8th (local time) that the president should have a say in the Federal Reserve's (Fed) benchmark interest rate decisions. He also warned that an economic depression could occur if he does not win the upcoming November presidential election. Regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the new Democratic presidential candidate after President Joe Biden decided not to run for re-election, Trump disparaged her as "worse than Biden" and confidently showed that he has not changed his campaign strategy at all.
Press conference at Mar-a-Lago... On concession question, "We want an honest election"
According to CNN and others, former President Trump held a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on the day and said, "I think the president should at least have a say there (at the Fed)," demanding a voice in decisions on interest rates and monetary policy. He claimed, "I have made a lot of money and have been very successful," adding, "In many cases, I believe I have better instincts than Fed officials."
These remarks are expected to be controversial as they contradict the long-standing principles or practices of major countries worldwide that emphasize the political independence of central banks. During his previous term, Trump openly demanded interest rate cuts and showed attempts to intervene in monetary policy. In this election campaign, he has repeatedly stated that he would lower interest rates if he wins.
Additionally, former President Trump said, "Outstanding people on Wall Street say 'if Trump doesn't win, there will be a panic,' and I think that will happen." When asked whether he would concede the November election results, he replied, "All we want is an honest election." While not giving a clear answer on concession, he argued that only if he wins would the election be honest.
These remarks recall the January 6 incident when Trump supporters who could not accept the election results stormed the Capitol. Earlier, President Biden expressed concern in an excerpt from a CBS News interview released the previous day, saying, "His statement that there will be a bloodbath if he loses the election is sincere," warning that peaceful transfer of power might not occur if Trump loses the election.
Trump disparages Harris, announces three TV debates in September
The press conference was former President Trump's first official appearance since Vice President Kamala Harris was confirmed as his Democratic opponent. Trump said he had not campaigned recently because he was waiting until after the Democratic National Convention next week. He expressed being "very pleased" to compete against Harris instead of President Biden, disparaging Harris as a "bad prosecutor" and a "radical leftist." When asked about strategic adjustments due to the change in his opponent, he said, "I have not adjusted at all," adding, "Same policies as (Biden) on open borders, vulnerable crime." He also added, "Harris is worse than Biden."
Furthermore, former President Trump announced that there would be three TV debates with Vice President Harris in September. He said, "I think debating is very important," and mentioned agreements with Fox News, NBC, and ABC News. According to Trump's campaign, the agreed debate dates are Fox on September 4, ABC on September 10, and NBC on September 25. However, Trump said that details including the audience and venue have not been decided and that Harris's camp must agree. He stated, "I don't know if they will agree," and claimed, "Harris is incompetent and not smart enough to do interviews."
Earlier, ABC News announced that the debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump was confirmed for September 10, the date originally scheduled for the second debate between President Biden and Trump. The Fox and NBC debates mentioned by Trump remain uncertain. Vice President Harris, campaigning in battleground states, did not respond to reporters' questions about whether she would participate in the three debates with Trump.
Additionally, former President Trump commented on the assassination attempt during last month's campaign, saying, "It was a great shot, but I healed quickly," and "There is no hearing loss at all. I was really lucky." When asked if he had a scar on his ear, he replied, "Yes," adding, "There is a little left. It's not big."
"Many lies," foreign media criticize... Harris speaks at UAW
Major foreign media outlets evaluated former President Trump's press conference as an "effort to regain political momentum." While Trump has refrained from public rallies after the Republican National Convention, Democratic Vice President Harris has been gaining momentum by confirming Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate and embarking on joint rallies, amid repeated controversies over offensive remarks by Republican vice-presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance.
It was also pointed out that many of Trump's statements were false. The New York Times (NYT) said, "The remarks made today were full of lies," highlighting that Trump claimed "no one died" during the January 6 Capitol riot, but in fact, several people died, including one of Trump's supporters. The Guardian also reported, "There were dizzying amounts of lies," noting that Trump claimed his crowd was larger than the crowd at Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 'I Have a Dream' speech. While about 50,000 people were estimated to have attended Trump's speech, approximately 250,000 gathered to hear King's speech." CNN also reported through multiple fact-checks that former President Trump was making false claims.
On the same day, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz visited the United Auto Workers (UAW), which officially endorsed the Democrats, and gave speeches. Vice President Harris raised her voice, saying, "We stand for justice. We stand for equality," and "So we will fight for everything." UAW President Shawn Fain introduced them as "two people who were on the picket line with striking union members," adding, "Trump could never be there."
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