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[Global Times Special Correspondent in the United States Xiong Peng, Global Times Special Correspondent Li Ai] On the 20th local time, former US President Trump attended a campaign rally in Michigan and delivered a speech. This was Trump's first campaign rally after the "attempted assassination". According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), when Trump gave a speech at the campaign rally, he first thanked his supporters for giving him "extraordinary love" after the "attempted assassination" incident, and said that he "took a bullet for democracy."

On July 20, 2024, local time, US Republican presidential candidate Trump attended a campaign rally in Michigan. (Visual China)

"Trump abandons unity, returns to insults and denial of election results." The New York Times reported on the 21st with this title that at the first campaign rally held after the assassination attempt, Trump and his new running mate Vance repeatedly lashed out at the Democratic Party, calling President Biden and his administration "stupid." Trump ridiculed the Democratic Party's economic, immigration and other policies at the rally, and insulted the president, vice president and former House Speaker Pelosi. The report said that Trump's speech in Michigan lasted more than 100 minutes, indicating that the voice calling for national unity has completely subsided after the "failed assassination." The New York Times mentioned that Michigan is seen as a key battleground state in the November presidential election. It is one of the several states that Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden four years later.

CNN noted that when Trump appeared this time, the wound on his ear was replaced with a smaller brown bandage. CNN said that former White House doctor Ronny Jackson made a statement about Trump's condition after examining him. Jackson said that the bullet caused a wound of about 2 centimeters on Trump's ear, and the wound is currently "healing." He added that Trump's wound does not need stitches.

In response to Trump's remarks at the Michigan rally, the Biden team responded quickly, severely criticizing Trump for "lying and focusing only on himself." Amal Moussa, a spokesman for the Biden campaign, said in a statement later on the 20th: "Trump is peddling the same lies, carrying out the same retaliation, promoting the same failed policies, and focusing only on himself as always."

On the same day, US Vice President Harris attended a well-attended fundraising event in Massachusetts. CNN said that Harris' speech at the fundraiser did not directly mention Biden's "dilemma of being persuaded to withdraw". She called him "one of the most important presidents in American history." However, Harris expressed the anxiety that is spreading within the Democratic Party by repeatedly emphasizing that "we will win this election." The organizers of the event said that although some large donors were reluctant to write checks due to growing concerns about Biden's eligibility for the campaign, the event ultimately raised more than $2 million, double what was expected.

"Biden is recovering, and Harris has become the protagonist of the campaign." The New York Times said that the vice president has recently been caught in an awkward position: he must remain loyal to Biden while showing that he is ready to take over the Democratic presidential nomination if necessary. The report said that African-American and Latino officials and many people in the Democratic Party have pushed Harris to become the "natural successor" to the presidential nomination.

The New York Times quoted two people familiar with the matter as saying that Trump's campaign is preparing to vigorously attack Harris, including launching a series of advertisements focusing on her performance as California Attorney General and now as Vice President. According to people familiar with the matter, most of the preparations so far have been focused on Harris. The Trump team's "bet" on Harris is based on the assumption that if the Democratic Party bypasses the first black woman to serve as Vice President in the United States after Biden announces his withdrawal from the presidential re-election, it will exacerbate divisions within the Democratic Party and potentially alienate their African-American voters. Trump's allies have even reportedly begun to review the governing records of Democratic governors who may become Harris's running mates.

The New York Times mentioned that Biden, who is recovering from the new crown at his home in Delaware, is increasingly dissatisfied with the calls from Democratic lawmakers for him to end his re-election campaign. He believes that this is an act carefully planned by former allies including former President Obama and former House Speaker Pelosi. Biden's doctor said on the 20th that Biden's "symptoms are continuing to improve steadily." Biden's campaign team also said that Biden will return to the campaign next week as long as the doctor allows.