Authors: ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and COLLEEN LONG

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Republicans on Sunday sought to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s latest insults toward Democratic candidate Kamala Harris during a chaotic weekend rally in Wisconsin in which he called her “mentally disabled.”

Trump escalated his personal attacks on the vice president during a self-described “dark speech” on immigration after Harris’ trip to the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Joe Biden has become mentally retarded,” Trump said. “Kamala was born this way. She was born this way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could allow something like this to happen to our country. Everyone would know that.

Trump has already falsely claimed that Harris has “turned black” and regularly insults her as “stupid,” “weak,” “dumb as nails” and “lazy.” With just over a month until the presidential election, his allies have urged him publicly and privately to talk instead about the economy, immigration and other issues.

“I just think it’s better to pursue a case where her policies are destroying the country,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about Trump’s comments. “They are wildly liberal.”

Asked whether he agreed with those comments, Rep. Tom Emmer, D-Minn., deflected during an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”

“I think Kamala Harris is a bad choice for America,” said Emmer, who is helping Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance prepare for Tuesday’s vice presidential debate. “I think Kamala Harris is as bad, maybe even worse, than the administration we have witnessed over the last four years.”

When pressed, Emmer said: “I think we should stick to the issues. The problem is that Donald Trump already fixed it once. They broke it. He’s going to fix it again. These are problems.”

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, running for Senate as a moderate Republican, cited Trump’s false claims that Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, had previously downplayed her black heritage. Harris attended Howard University, a historically black college, and has consistently identified as both black and South Asian throughout her political career.

“I already called him when he did the only interview where he questioned her racial identity, and now he’s questioning her mental competency,” Hogan told CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “I think it’s offensive not only to the vice president but also to people who actually have mental disabilities.”

If elected, Harris will be the first woman, Black woman and person of South Asian descent to become president. She did not comment on Trump’s recent attacks, but when asked about other comments, she said it was “the same old show.” The same boring playbook we’ve heard about for years, with no plan for how it will meet the needs of the American people.”

Trump held a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, and some supporters who attended his speech said he frequently made offensive remarks. Still, they support his proposals to limit immigration and say he will handle the economy better.

“He says what’s on his mind, and sometimes he says it’s inappropriate,” said Jeffrey Balogh, 56, who attended the rally with two friends. “But he did his job. He did very well at it.”

Tamara Molnar said she thinks Trump is very strong on immigration. As for his insults, Molnar said: “I think everyone should have some decency when speaking about other candidates, and I don’t think either party is necessarily innocent in this case. There’s a lot of slingshot back and forth.

Last month, Trump said he had the “right” to make personal attacks on Harris.

“In terms of personal attacks, I am very angry with her for what she has done to the country,” he told a news conference at the time. “I am very angry with her for using the justice system against me and other people. I’m very angry at her. I think I have the right to make personal attacks.”

Originally published: September 29, 2024 at 9:59 am