At a rally in Tucson, Arizona, on Thursday, former President Donald Trump claimed that his failure in the forthcoming November election to Kamala Harris could be blamed on a developing demographic in his fan base.
During the occasion, Trump, known for his often unexpected and upfront statements, pointed out an interesting shift in the age group of his followers.
“We have a lot of young people here,” Trump said acknowledging the youthful energy in the audience. The 78-year-old former president appeared to be reflecting on the shift, suggesting that younger voters may not be enough to ensure his victory. “My audiences, they’ve gotten younger and younger, do you notice that?” he continued.
Despite the excitement of the younger participants, Trump quickly reassured his loyal, older audience that they still played an important role in his campaign. “Don’t worry, I still like the old people the best, I don’t care!” he said, pointing toward the section of older supporters. His comment sparked even louder applause, as Trump embraced the core demographic that played a significant role in his 2016 victory.
“I like the—I still like the old people the best. Got to stay with the people that got you there, right?” Trump added, highlighting the importance of his older supporters.
According to Pew Research exit polls conducted after the 2016 election, Trump performed well among voters aged 50 to 64, and significantly better among those aged 65 and up.
Trump’s remarks regarding younger voters came after a disappointing debate performance earlier in the week, during which he failed to gain momentum and instead floated unfounded conspiracy theories. His performance drew serious criticism, generating speculation about his future strategy.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump said at the gathering that he would not take part in another debate with Kamala Harris. His inability to participate in a third debate generated severe criticism from Democrats, who accused him of avoiding further scrutiny.
However, Trump justified his decision by pointing to his earlier debate successes, claiming he had nothing more to prove.
“And because they were successful, there will be no third debate,” Trump declared as his supporters cheered. Despite his announcement, Trump expressed frustration with the moderators of his previous debates, accusing ABC News of bias. He criticized David Muir and Linsey Davis, the moderators, stating, “These two people are bad news.”
