How Trump’s Behavior Keeps Undermining His Most Effective Message

CHICAGO — Former President Donald Trump’s campaign spent Tuesday trying to convince voters they are unsafe in America. Starting with a press conference in Chicago to counter-program the Democratic National Convention, followed by vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s appearance with police officers in Wisconsin, and Trump himself appearing in suburban Michigan, the campaign was trying to push a single message about how Vice President Kamala Harris would make voters’ worlds more dangerous.

It’s a message Trump has consistently focused on since he entered the electoral arena, from calling for a xenophobicban on Muslim immigration in the 2016 GOP primary to withering attacks on “defund the police” in 2020. A few words from Trump on Tuesday, however, showcased how his extremist tendencies and chaotic behavior, covering everything from his racism to inciting an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, frequently undermine what should be one of his strongest electoral messages.

“Her father is, as you know, a Marxist professor,” Trump said of Harris before mocking her appearance. “You see her now with the smile — she’s gotten rid of the laugh in recent days — they told her don’t laugh.”

He also couldn’t help but complain again about President Joe Biden leaving the 2024 race after pressure from within his party: “That was a coup. I’m no fan of his, but it started with the debate, it was a vicious, violent overthrow of the president of the United States.”

Trump also failed to fully deliver the intended message. His campaign released snippets of his speech to reporters, suggesting he would call for child rapists and child traffickers to be eligible for the death penalty. The 78-year-old never said as much in his speech, and his campaign