GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Former President Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance are reaching out to voters on Saturday in their first joint campaign rally as vice presidential candidates, and their first since a failed assassination attempt on Trump’s life last week.
Thousands of spectators packed Van Andel Arena, home of the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team, to watch the pair accept the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention (RNC) and run together as the Republican candidate.
“It’s hard to believe that a week ago an assassin tried to take Donald Trump’s life and now there are crowds in Michigan welcoming him home,” Vance said after taking the stage.
WATCH: Thousands gather in Michigan town for first Trump rally since assassination attempt
Donald Trump on Monday nominated J.D. Vance as his 2024 presidential running mate. (Getty Images)
He quickly launched into a critique of Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, “I served in the United States Marine Corps…what the hell did you do?”
“What has she done besides collect checks from political offices?” he asked, before launching into a conversation about his upbringing and that of his grandmother, whom he calls “Mamaw.”
He then discussed the various challenges facing the country under President Biden’s administration, including the fentanyl crisis, the border crisis and the economy.
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Michigan is expected to be one of the most closely watched battleground states in the November election and could narrowly determine who will serve the American people in the White House for the next four years.
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