Former President Donald Trump made a baseless claim Wednesday in Harrisburg during a pre-recorded Fox News town hall that the country was in danger, suggesting that “we’re headed toward World War III” unless he is elected because “everyone was afraid of Trump.”
Trump took questions from Fox News host Sean Hannity at New Holland Arena for about an hour, before a amiable audience that resembled those at each of Trump’s major rallies. Trump and Hannity discussed immigration, the economy and international relations, among other topics, during the session, which aired Wednesday night.
The former president was scheduled to take questions from the audience but ran out of time as Trump often responded incoherently to Hannity’s many questions, criticized his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s support, authoritative a far-right conservative who has gained praise from Trump.
“They say he’s a strong man, and sometimes it takes a strong man,” Trump said to applause.
The town hall event marks Trump’s 10th visit to Pennsylvania this year, including one during which he survived the assassination attempt in Butler, and his second visit to the commonwealth in less than a week. Trump held a rally in Johnstown last Friday, where he responded to negative reactions to the election incident at Arlington National Cemetery and said he was looking forward to debating Harris in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
In the run-up to the debate, Harris’ team prioritized campaign events in Pennsylvania, where she and Trump They are in the middle of the fight in a key battleground state. Harris campaigned with President Joe Biden in Pittsburgh on Labor Day, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made his first solo trip to the commonwealth on Wednesday. Harris is scheduled to return to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
“There has never been more enthusiasm than there is now,” Trump said at the town hall, adding that he found it tough to believe the race was so close.”
That was the night Trump originally proposed a presidential debate on Fox News, but Harris declined to participate. So Trump began laying the groundwork for next week’s debate at the National Constitution Center by suggesting it would be set up to favor Harris.
Here are the key takeaways from Trump’s appearance on Fox News:
Donald Trump Raises Skepticism Ahead of Philadelphia Presidential Debate
In an attempt to sow doubts about the integrity of next week’s presidential debate, Trump falsely claimed that ABC, which he described as the “worst network,” would give Harris the debate questions in advance.
Neither the candidates nor their campaigns will receive any questions or talking points in advance, under the debate rules both candidates agreed to, ABC announced Wednesday.
As reported by ABC, the candidates’ microphones will be muted when they are not speaking, and the debate will be held without public participation.
Among other rules, candidates will be given two minutes to answer questions, two minutes to respond, and an additional minute for follow-up, clarification or response. Harris and Trump will also not be allowed to ask each other questions.
In addition, the candidates will stand behind a podium throughout the debate, are not allowed to bring pre-written notes on stage and will not make opening statements, ABC said in a news release. Harris and Trump will have two minutes for closing statements. Trump will make his final closing statement, choosing his seat after winning the coin toss, ABC said.
During the Fox Town Hall meeting, Trump again criticized ABC host George Stephanopoulos, with whom Trump is in ongoing legal action. Hannity said he wanted to moderate Tuesday’s debate instead of “George Stephanopoulos’ network.” Stephanopoulos will not moderate the debate.
‘Can’t Take Risk,’ Trump Says on Fracking
As he has done in his other visits to Pennsylvania, especially to areas with vast working-class voters, Trump criticized Harris’s wavering stance on fracking, a major industry in Pennsylvania.
“If he wins, there will be no fracking in Pennsylvania,” Trump said.
“Trump’s false claims about banning fracking are an obvious attempt to distract from his own plans to enrich oil and gas executives at the expense of the middle class,” a Harris campaign spokesman said.
Harris previously supported a ban on fracking, but withdrew that position after becoming President Joe Biden’s vice presidential candidate in 2020. She no longer supports a ban in 2024, something she confirmed during an interview with CNN last week — “we’re in 2024 and I haven’t changed that position and I won’t change that position in the future. I’ve kept my word and I’ll keep my word.”
“You can’t take that chance,” Trump said Wednesday of Harris’ stance on fracking. “You have no choice but to vote for me … even if you don’t like me.”
At a rally in Johnstown last week, Trump said, “I’m going to tell Pennsylvania to drill, baby, drill,” repeating what has become a catchphrase for him and his vice presidential candidate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R., Ohio). “We’re going to drill, baby, drill.”
Trump warns of ‘1929-like depression’ if Harris is elected
Trump on Wednesday criticized Harris’ stance on the economy, saying the United States would be in a “1929-style depression” if Harris is elected president.
“If that happens, go out and open an appraisal firm because you’ll make a fortune,” Trump said. “That’s about the only group that can do it. And accountants.”
Trump also boasted about his 2017 tax cuts, which he would likely revisit if elected.
“While Donald Trump has never had to worry about the cost of putting gas in his tank or heating his home, Vice President Harris is actually fighting to lower costs so that families can not only make ends meet, but stay afloat,” said Onotse Omoyeni, director of Pennsylvania Rapid Response for the Harris campaign.
“She will continue to fight Big Pharma and corporate landlords who are driving up prices for working people, unlike Trump who will simply continue to give them handouts even as they rip off Pennsylvania families,” Omoyeni added.
Pennsylvania’s economy hasn’t seen the same post-pandemic rebound as other parts of the country. With the economy top of mind for Pennsylvania voters, that could be a problem for Harris, as voters have said they trust Trump more on the economy, even though his lead is shrinking.
Harris unveiled a slew of economic proposals last month, promising to ban grocery price gouging, introduce subsidies for first-time homebuyers, invest $40 billion in affordable housing and expand the child tax credit.
Trump has promised to lower inflation through executive order, boost U.S. oil production and lower energy prices. The former president is also expected to impose tariffs of at least 10% on imported goods.