New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman criticized Donald Trump Thursday evening for his erratic campaign tactics amid the turmoil following President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance. The former president, who has faced years of questions about his mental health and is currently awaiting sentencing for a 34-count felony conviction, has reportedly been maintaining silence to keep the focus on Biden’s fitness to run.
However, Trump spent his Fourth of July holiday posting a series of attacks on journalists, Biden, George Soros, and Vice President Kamala Harris. He also challenged Biden to a “no holds barred” debate. “Happy Fourth of July to all, including to our highly incapable ‘President,’ who uses Prosecutors to go after his Political Opponent, who choked like a dog during the Debate but tried to pretend it was ‘International Travel’ (only 12 days rest!) and when that gig was up, he blamed it on a ‘cold,'” Trump wrote in one of his posts.
Haberman pointed out the inconsistency between Trump’s actions and the reports that he was strategically laying low to let Democrats damage themselves. “Trump-kept-disciplined-and-quiet-amid-Democrats’-problems-and-didn’t-try-for-focus lasted a week,” Haberman, who has covered Trump extensively since his days in the White House, posted to X.
Eric Columbus, a former counsel for Biden and the House Select Committee on Jan. 6, offered a correction to Haberman’s observation. “It didn’t even last 48 hours!” he noted, linking to earlier reports that Trump had shared content calling for a televised military tribunal for former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY).
This series of outbursts stands in stark contrast to the reported strategy of Trump remaining silent to allow media scrutiny on Biden’s mental health. Trump’s July 4th attacks undermine the notion of a disciplined campaign approach, highlighting the ongoing volatility within his camp.
The Trump campaign’s conflicting signals come at a critical juncture as both major parties navigate an unpredictable political landscape. While Trump’s silence was intended to amplify Biden’s debate gaffes and potential withdrawal from the 2024 race, his inability to refrain from public tirades has created additional turmoil for his own campaign.
As the political climate remains heated, Trump’s actions continue to draw attention and controversy, raising questions about his ability to maintain a coherent and strategic campaign. Despite attempts to portray Biden as unfit for office, Trump’s own unpredictable behavior and legal challenges add layers of complexity to his presidential bid. The campaign’s future strategies and responses to ongoing political developments will be closely watched, as both Trump and Biden face significant scrutiny from the public and the media.