As Election Day approaches, former President Trump made a surprising detour to ultra-blue California to spotlight the state's soaring inflation, crime and illegal immigration.
President Trump touched down in the Coachella Valley on Saturday night, where he faced off against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Voters in decidedly blue states turned out in droves, and President Trump remarked on the size of the crowd when he took to the stage at 5:30 p.m. PT.
President Trump marveled at the crowd, saying, “We had a great reception here. Look at this crowd.” “This is like a record as far as the eye can see.”
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Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump arrived Saturday to address a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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President Trump highlighted California's failed policies, saying, “We have to improve our state.”
“I stand before you today in the heart of the majestic Coachella Valley and declare that the Republican Party will always put America first and lead us to victories like you have never seen before. “I will.” Because we have become the party of common sense.
The former president promised to fight for “hard-working people of every race, religion, color and creed.”
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When the Trump campaign announced that the former president would make an unusual visit to California, press secretary Stephen Chan highlighted Harris' poor performance and said she was a candidate for every state and every American. He said it was to show that he had a solution.
Trump touted Harris and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's record in the state and promised to “save it.”
Radical Left Democrats destroyed this state, and we are going to save it…
“The radical left of the Democratic Party destroyed this state, and we are going to save this state.” “And we're going to make it better than ever.”
“I'm here today not just to talk about California, which has one of the worst governors in the nation, Gavin Newsom, but we definitely had a horrible person here,” he said. Kamala,” he said. “And now she wants to destroy our country.
“She wants to destroy our country the same way she destroyed San Francisco,” he said.
Attendees cheer as former Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Trump compared California to “Paradise Lost” and moved on to pledging to secure the southern border.
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California is truly a lost paradise…
“California is truly a lost paradise, but we're going to get it back,” he said. “Don't worry, we'll get it back. It'll happen soon.
“We're going to stop murderers from coming in. We're going to stop drug dealers and everyone from coming to California,” he said.
Former Republican presidential candidate Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
President Trump recalled the California of yesteryear, saying it was “a beacon of what our country aspires to be.”
“We had the weather and we had the water,” he said. “This state had the best schools, the safest communities, and a booming middle class, all of which have been eradicated by decades of the very policies Kamala Harris is now trying to impose on America.” It was done.”
The Republican presidential candidate pointed to California's exorbitant cost of living, ongoing crime crisis, and continuing illegal immigration crisis.
“Today, California has the highest inflation, the highest taxes, the highest gas prices, the highest cost of living, the most regulation, the highest utility costs, the highest homelessness, the highest crime, and the highest corruption. “The majority are illegal immigrants,” he said.
“Other than that, I think you're doing pretty well, actually,” he quipped.
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President Trump acknowledged that the economy is a top priority in California and across the country, but said the U.S. is considered an “occupying country” and emphasized that illegal immigration is a top issue for voters. .
“But we are now known around the world as an occupied country,” he said. “There are people who are taking over parts of Colorado. There are people who are taking over other states, many states.”
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President Trump promised to “free our country from criminals” and “save California.”
“To everyone here in California, and to everyone across the country, I pledge this: November 5, 2024, will be American Liberation Day,” he said.
“We're going to free this country from criminals. We're going to save California in every town across America that's been invaded and conquered. And we're going to put these vicious, bloodthirsty criminals behind bars or get them out of the country. “We will drive them out thoroughly,” he said. Said.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump arrived Saturday to address a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Trump pointed to Eduardo Sarabia, an undocumented immigrant who was recently arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of sexually assaulting two women in a windowless Ford Transit van.
“He is accused of sadistically raping two women in the back of a windowless van, which police say was a gruesome rig that resembled a rape dungeon on wheels,” President Trump said. It is said that “Detectives believe this monster had more victims.”
Former Republican presidential candidate Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
President Trump also mentioned Victor Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who fled his home country after committing a heinous crime and allegedly killing Maryland mother Rachel Morin.
“We had the strongest border in the history of our country. We now have the strongest border in the history of the world,” he said.
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“My message to the American people is very simple,” President Trump said. “The man who inflicted violence and terror on our country by harassing our country will never be allowed to serve as President of the United States again.”
Trump promised that Harris' “reign of terror” would end on his first day in office.
“Anyone who plots an invasion of America cannot lead America,” he said. “Kamala Harris, her reign of terror will end the day I take office.”
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As the White House showdown with Harris approaches its final stages, time is a precious asset for the presidential campaign, but many are wondering why Trump is stalling in blue states. I'm wondering.
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Canceling Coachella could benefit Trump not only in southeastern California, but also with Latino voters who have trended Republican in recent years, but more importantly in seven battleground races that are likely to determine the outcome of the United States. In two of the states, neighboring Arizona and Nevada. The former president or Harris will win the 2024 election.
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
FOX News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
