Trump criticizes Harris on inflation and economics during news conference at New Jersey golf resort
Donald Trump said Thursday that Americans are struggling with price hikes that he blamed on Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Republican presidential candidate addressed the economy during a news conference at his New Jersey golf club. Trump struggled to make a case for his economic policies Wednesday during a speech that his campaign prompted as a major policy address, the AP reported.
Trump was surrounded by grocery store items, including instant coffee, sugary breakfast cereals and pastries, displayed on tables as he discussed the cost of everything from food to housing at his news conference.
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FILE-Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Big League Dreams Las Vegas on January 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
According to the AP, Trump’s campaign leaders announced Thursday they were expanding his staff, bringing several former aides and outside advisers to the team. Corey Lewandowski, Taylor Budowich, Alex Pfeiffer, Alex Bruesewitz and Tim Murtaugh will advise the campaign’s senior leadership.
Trump spoke to reporters amid his criticism of Harris for not holding a news conference or sitting down for interviews since Biden made way for her.
Harris has rarely interacted with reporters since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, though she travels with journalists aboard Air Force Two and sometimes answers questions while boarding or leaving the plane for campaign stops, the Associated Press reported.
Harris did tell reporters last week that she wants to conduct an interview by the end of August.
The vice president is also planning her own economic policy speech Friday in North Carolina, promising to push for a federal ban on price gouging on groceries, according to the AP.
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During a North Carolina rally on Wednesday, Trump made little effort to stay on message at the event that his campaign advertised as a big economic address, mixing pledges to cut energy prices and "unleash economic abundance." The AP noted that Trump aired his frustration over the Democrats swapping Harris in place of Biden on the party’s presidential ticket.
In last week’s news conference, Trump taunted Harris, discussed his crowd on Jan. 6, 2021, and chided reporters' questions about the enthusiasm Harris' campaign is receiving, per the AP.