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Donald Trump speaks about Arnold Palmer for ten minutes at the rally

Donald Trump speaks about Arnold Palmer for ten minutes at the rally

Topline

Former President Donald Trump opened a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Saturday by talking about the late golfer Arnold Palmer for more than 10 minutes – and telling a story about Palmer's genitals – marking the latest bizarre move by Trump at a rally just weeks before election day.

Important facts

Within the first 12 minutes of his rally in Latrobe – Palmer's hometown – Trump praised Palmer as “a man” before going further, saying: “When he was showering with other professionals, they came out of there.” They said: ” Oh my God. “That’s unbelievable… We have women here who are very cultured, but they used to think of Arnold as a man.”

Trump also recalled playing golf with Palmer and said the rally would be more fun if the golfer (who died in 2016) could join him, going beyond what politicians typically say about the famous golfer when they visit his hometown, the Associated Press reported.

When Trump actually turned to politics at the rally, he called his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, a “fucking vice president” and a “radical left-wing Marxist” and criticized her proposal in the 2020 primary to ban hydraulic fracturing – although Harris has since explained that she doesn't want to ban fracking.

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Big number

16. That's how many days remain until Election Day, when Trump will face Harris in what is expected to be a closely contested race. FiveThirtyEight's national average showed Harris with a 2-point lead over Trump as of Sunday morning.

Important background

Trump has been holding rallies in battleground states in recent weeks as Election Day approaches, and he has repeatedly gone off script, sometimes confusing viewers. Last Monday, Trump stopped a town hall-style event while attendees received medical attention, and instead of resuming it, he had his team play music for nearly half an hour while he danced on stage. After the rally, Harris shared a clip on social media and said, “I hope he's OK.” Trump has been known to rant at his rallies in the past, referencing the fictional character “the late great.” Hannibal Lecter” refers to when he talks about immigration, talks about his charges, and has crowds chanting attacks on Harris and Biden. Trump's team had reportedly said his speech on Saturday would be the start of his effort to deliver closing arguments against Vice President Kamala Harris, although he mostly stuck to his usual talking points of criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the border and personal ones Attacks on Harris. Trump's meandering speaking style has led some critics to raise questions about the 78-year-old's mental acuity, which he typically dismisses.

Main critic

Peg Palmer, the golfer's daughter, said in 2018, according to Rolling Stone: “He was appalled by Trump's lack of civility… and what he began to see as Trump's lack of character.” “He didn't like it when others were mean and were rude.”

Further reading

AP NewsTrump opens a rally in Pennsylvania by talking about Arnold Palmer's genitals
NytimesAt a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump reaches new levels of vulgarityForbes“Let's just listen to music”: Trump turns the town hall into a concert, triggering ridicule from Harris

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