The second presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris took a dramatic turn when Trump accused Harris of ‘weaponizing’ rhetoric that contributed to his assassination attempt in July.
Trump, speaking from the debate stage in Philadelphia, stated that he ‘probably took a bullet to the head’ due to the ‘things that they say about me.’ He specifically targeted Harris, referencing her comments about his threat to democracy. This statement came on the heels of a July incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a man named Matthew Crooks shot Trump in the ear, injuring two audience members and fatally shooting a local fireman named Corey Comperatore.
Trump directly blamed Harris for ‘weaponizing’ the situation, stating, ‘This is the one that weaponized, not me. She weaponized.’ His statement was met with immediate backlash from Harris, who pointed to Trump’s own past actions and rhetoric as concerning.
Harris emphasized the context of the 2024 election, referencing the recent Supreme Court ruling that grants the former president immunity from misconduct if he were to return to the White House. She also highlighted Trump’s past statements, including his desire to terminate the Constitution and weaponize the Department of Justice against political opponents.
‘Understand, this is someone who has openly said he would terminate, I’m quoting, terminate the Constitution of the United States, that he would weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies. Someone who has openly expressed disdain for members of our military,’ Harris stated. ‘Understand, that it means if Donald Trump were back in the White House with no guard rails, because certainly we know now the court won’t stop him.’
The debate, which marked the first time the two candidates had directly faced each other, was held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The event followed President Biden’s withdrawal from the race due to concerns over his mental acuity.
Trump, who has recovered from the assassination attempt, plans to return to Butler County, Pennsylvania in October for another rally. The 2024 election continues to be a focal point for both candidates, and this debate has only heightened the tension and scrutiny surrounding the race.
