As Election Day looms, former President Donald Trump ended his final week on the campaign trail with a characteristic flurry of attacks that seemed designed to energize his base while alienating many on the fence. Trump’s closing message—a blend of grievances, divisive rhetoric, and off-script jabs—sparked outrage among critics, delighted his supporters, and left Republican Party officials quietly apprehensive.
“This is what he always does,” said Doug Heye, a former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee. “He fires up the base and focuses the attention on himself.”
Trump’s campaign week was littered with controversial statements, beginning with a rally where a speaker described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” inciting backlash from Hispanic voters. Mid-week, Trump told a crowd he’d protect women “whether they like it or not,” potentially amplifying his gender gap among female voters. But it was his violent rhetoric about former GOP Representative Liz Cheney on Thursday that stirred the most concern. Trump told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that Cheney—a prominent critic—should “face nine barrels shooting at her,” sparking accusations of incitement.
“A Disqualifying Attack”?
Democrats immediately seized on Trump’s words as a further example of what they call his unfitness for office. Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been campaigning with Cheney, called the remark “disqualifying,” while Cheney herself labeled Trump “vindictive” and “cruel.”
Arizona’s attorney general announced an investigation into whether Trump’s comments about Cheney constituted a death threat, adding a layer of legal scrutiny to an already heated campaign. Former Attorney General Eric Holder denounced Trump’s language as “irresponsible,” saying it reflects “why he should never, ever, ever again be president.”
The comments about Cheney highlight Trump’s habit of personal attacks, especially against figures like Cheney who have publicly opposed him. Cheney, a former top Republican who voted to impeach Trump and co-led the investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot, has become a frequent target for Trump’s ire, and he often invokes her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, as a symbol of “endless war.”
Impact on the Suburban Vote
Trump’s inflammatory closing message is stirring concern among Republicans who fear it could repel crucial moderate and suburban voters. “No matter the context of what he meant, Trump deploying such attacks… risks pushing [women] closer to Harris,” a GOP lawmaker warned anonymously.
Trump’s remarks were part of a broader push to recapture support in suburban areas, especially in swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. But the violent rhetoric may undermine his efforts in places like Milwaukee’s WOW counties (Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington), where suburban women are seen as pivotal in deciding the election.
“This dialing up the rhetoric is not going to help him win over the very voters he needs,” said former Rep. Reid Ribble, a Republican from Wisconsin.
Rally Style: Trump’s Unapologetic Approach
As usual, Trump’s rallies have been punctuated by off-script moments that his supporters embrace as “authentic,” while critics call dangerous. In a recent rally at Madison Square Garden, Trump denounced his opponents as “enemies from within” and characterized the January 6 riot as a “love fest.” Each comment only intensifies the gap between Trump’s devoted base and a broader electorate wary of his combative style.
GOP strategist David Urban defended Trump, dismissing Democrats’ criticism as “fake media outrage” but acknowledged that Trump’s language often polarizes. “There are lots of times I’m like, ‘shouldn’t have said that one,’” Urban said, “but this isn’t one of those.”
A Risky Closing Strategy
As Trump and Harris each fight for undecided voters in swing states, analysts believe Trump’s approach might backfire among women and moderate voters. “Everyone in his base accepts it,” said Arizona consultant Chuck Coughlin, “but it’s unlikely to win over the middle.” Harris has already been using Trump’s language to her advantage, calling him “unstable” and warning that he’s “obsessed with revenge.”
With both candidates on their final sprint, Trump’s rally style highlights a risk: will his base-centric rhetoric alienate the very voters who may decide the election? Or will his supporters once again rally behind his brand of undiluted grievance politics?
Sources for this article include:
Reports from AP, interviews with political analysts, and public statements from campaign representatives and party leaders.
