On Friday, Donald Trump aimed to refocus his campaign on policy issues, addressing a gathering at a Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas with a proposal to eliminate taxes on tips for service workers. This move came after a week where he was overshadowed by Kamala Harris and struggled to shift attention from personal attacks on his opponent to substantive issues.
Trump’s tax plan, a key element of his economic agenda, was presented alongside efforts to court Hispanic voters in Nevada, a crucial battleground state. He also pledged to set up a commission to investigate presidential assassination attempts and chronic health issues, proposals that appear to be concessions to independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the race.
The former president’s pivot to policy follows Harris’ strong acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, where she laid out her foreign policy and contrasted her vision with Trump’s. Despite Trump’s attempts to counter-program with his own events, his efforts to draw media attention away from Harris were largely unsuccessful.
Trump’s focus on personal attacks, including derogatory comments about Harris on his Truth Social platform, highlighted his frustration and underscored the challenges he faces, especially given his history of controversial remarks. Harris’ rising poll numbers and strong fundraising, with her campaign reporting $204 million raised last month compared to Trump’s $48 million, suggest she is gaining momentum.
As Trump prepares to travel to Detroit and Washington for upcoming events, he faces pressure to maintain a focus on issues that resonate with voters, such as inflation and immigration. Republican strategists argue that a shift towards policy could be crucial for his campaign’s success.
