Donald Trump, Surrounded by Groceries, Says He’s ‘Entitled to Personal Attacks’ on Kamala Harris

The former president’s Thursday press conference was intended to focus away from personal attacks on the vice president and toward economic policy. That wasn’t the case.

Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump National Golf Club
Julia Nikhinson/AP

BEDMINSTER — After days of anxiety from Republicans about the former president’s ability to stay on point, the setting for Donald Trump’s press conference Thursday seemed on message enough. He walked out to meet reporters next to tables stacked with groceries, intended to send a signal about inflation. He then spent about 40 minutes zooming from one topic to another before even taking questions, eventually landing on why he’s right to personally attack Vice President Kamala Harris.

Speaking at the exclusive Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and surrounded by coffee and Cheerios, Trump called Harris a “radical left San Francisco person who destroyed the place,” and has a “very strong Communist lean.”

“I think I’m entitled to personal attacks. I don’t have a lot of respect for her, I don’t have a lot of respect for her intelligence,” he said.