Trump and Biden argue over whether Trump’s 30-second pause was intentional or a ‘problem’
Former President Donald Trump suddenly stopped speaking for more than 30 seconds during a speech this weekend at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, leading the Biden campaign to capitalize on the speculation about the fitness of his Republican opponent to assume office.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee addressed gun owners after receiving the association’s endorsement, stoking fears that the Biden administration is “coming for your guns.” Trump’s critics were quick to attack him, saying he froze during his speech and was unfit for office. His supporters said he paused for dramatic effect.
The campaign fights were the latest in a back-and-forth over the age and mental capabilities of the two candidates. Biden is 81 years old and Trump is 77 years old.
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Biden supporters say Trump ‘had a problem’
The Biden-Harris HQ account on
An account called “Biden’s Wins,” with more than 362,000 followers, reposted the video, saying: “Donald Trump just had a problem and froze at his rally tonight. He is clearly unfit for office. Retweet so all Americans know Trump is senile.
The Biden-Harris headquarters account attacked Trump’s entire speech, alleging that the dramatic music playing in the background during Trump’s break was a song favored by QAnon.
The Biden-Harris campaign after Saturday was the second time it appeared to attack Trump’s competence over the weekend. On Friday, the account called Trump “weak” after his podium changed when he leaned on it during an event in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Trump says problem story is ‘made up’
Social media users speculated that Trump’s pause was due to a problem with his teleprompter, but Trump said that was not the case.
Trump said the 30-second “period of silence” was an integral part of his speeches and that the Biden-Harris campaign was behind the “false story” he spun in an article on Truth Social.
“The reason they made up this misinformation is because Biden freezes all the time, can’t put two sentences together, and can rarely walk off stage without help,” Trump wrote. “Donald Trump doesn’t freeze!”
During his speech on Saturday, Trump promised to repeal gun regulations passed under the Biden administration.
“In my second term, we will reverse all of Biden’s attacks on the Second Amendment,” Trump said. “From the minute Crooked Joe stormed his way out of the White House. »
Rachel Barber is a 2024 Election Fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @rachelbarber_
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: A problem with Trump? Biden and Trump argue over Trump’s break during NRA speech
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