Trump Town Hall with Gov. Noem: Oaks, PA October 14, 2024

 

Screenshot (Forbes)

President Trump held a town hall with Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota yesterday.

Trump emphasized that he fights for the people and protects them, and that they also fight for themselves. He criticized the current state of the country, mentioning issues such as border control, inflation, and the Afghanistan situation. He believes that the Afghanistan withdrawal was embarrassing and may have led to other countries, like China, taking advantage. He mentioned the upcoming election on November 5th is important and encourages the crowd to win. He criticized the current administration for not calling gold star families to express grief for the soldiers lost in Afghanistan. He also mentioned that China now controls the air strip in Afghanistan, which is concerning.

The first question came from a single father and Iraq war veteran. He asks about the affordability of homeownership under the Biden-Harris administration. Trump acknowledged the high cost of building homes, and the bureaucratic process involved. He promised to bring down interest rates and make it easier to obtain mortgages. He also mentioned his plans to increase energy production, which will bring down prices and make homeownership more affordable.

Trump goes on to criticize the current administration, calling it the worst in history. He mentioned that inflation is at its highest and accuses them of manipulating statistics, such as crime rates and job numbers. He promised to bring down energy costs by 50% in the first year of his presidency. Trump assures him and others in similar situations that they will be able to buy a home and pay lower interest rates. He also mentioned his commitment to not taxing Social Security benefits for older people.

Gov. Noem mentioned that 65% of Americans can’t afford to buy a home under the current administration. She criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for embracing policies that have made homeownership disappear. Noem also mentioned the importance of American energy, particularly in Pennsylvania.

President Trump addressed a gold star family, Mary and Charles Strange, who lost their son Michael in the Iraq and Afghan war. They express their desire for a congressional hearing to find out what happened to their son and other service members. President Trump promised to set up a commission within the first week of his administration to investigate the matter.

The President then acknowledged the presence of Rachel, Michael's sister, and thanked her for attending. He emphasized the importance of addressing the concerns of black Americans, particularly regarding illegal immigration, inflation, and safety in dangerous cities. He mentioned the impact of illegal immigration on black and Hispanic families, stating that it affects jobs, increases crime, and strains resources such as schools and hospitals. President Trump highlighted the need to secure the border and prevent the entry of criminals and terrorists. He mentioned his previous deal with China to benefit farmers and promises to support them. He also mentioned the endorsement he received from Border Patrol and his commitment to closing the border tightly.

Trump criticized the unfairness of the immigration system, where some people wait for years to enter legally while others cross the border illegally. He pledged to address the costs associated with illegal immigration and ensure that legal immigration processes are followed.

Recorded Video (Forbes)

He mentioned the need to straighten out the election process and expresses gratitude for the support. He talked about the issue of job loss in the country, stating that while over 800,000 Americans lost their jobs, 1.2 million noncitizens took those jobs. He blamed Kamala Harris, who he refers to as the "Border Czar," for facilitating this invasion of noncitizens. He also mentioned the gang from Venezuela and their criminal activities in Aurora, Colorado.

President Trump spoke on the topic to gun control, stating that he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and that the NRA has endorsed him. He argued that while the radical left wants to take away guns, they also want to allow criminals into the country. He emphasized the need for protection and suggests that having a gun in the house can deter criminals. He mentioned incidents where criminals target houses without guns and highlights the importance of self-defense.

Trump spoke on the war between Russia and Ukraine. President Trump mentioned that there would be no war if he were still in office, as he had a good relationship with Putin and understood the situation. He criticized Biden for not doing anything about the war and the devastation it has caused. He mentioned the destruction of cities and the high number of casualties, which he believes is underreported.

A small business owner expressed concerns about the rising gas prices and how it has affected his business. President Trump acknowledged the impact of rising prices on small businesses and promised to address the issue. He criticizes the push for electric cars and emphasizes the importance of gas for cooking. He also mentioned the problems with electric supply in California.

President Trump assured that utility costs will decrease under his administration and that he will support both gas and electric options. He also mentioned the loans provided to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and praised Linda McMahon, the former head of the Small Business Administration, for her work in distributing these loans.

During the town hall, a doctor interrupts to address a medical emergency in the audience, and Trump urged everyone to give the doctor time to attend to the situation. He also acknowledges the presence of first responders and praises their ability to provide quality care.

President Trump talked about Joe Biden and the primary election. He mentioned that Biden won the primary but had low numbers in the polls. He criticized the decision to replace Biden with Harris and suggested that she is not a smart woman. He expressed his determination to not have another four years of their leadership.

President Trump encouraged the audience to vote for him and promised to make America great again. He mentioned that Pennsylvania is an important state and winning it would be crucial for his campaign. He talks about the MAGA movement and the decline of the country, promising to turn it around and make it stronger than ever before.