Speaking at an event hosted by the conservative Christian group Turning Point Action on Friday, former President Trump urged Christians to vote, saying that if they go to the polls in November and choose Trump, “everything” will be “solved” and there will be no need to vote again.
“Christians, just this once, go out and vote,” Trump yelled to a cheering crowd in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“You don’t have to vote anymore. We’ll figure it out in four years. It’s going to be OK. My beautiful Christians, you don’t have to vote anymore,” he added.
“To all Christians, I love you. I’m a Christian. I love you. Get out there. Go vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote anymore. We’re going to make it better so you don’t have to vote,” Trump said.
Trump’s comments show that both parties need to rally their most ardent supporters to the polls in what is expected to be a close election that could be decided by voter turnout.
Vice President Harris’ sudden emergence as the Democratic presidential nominee has rapidly shifted the race, with President Biden bowing to mounting pressure and dropping out of the race on Sunday to endorse Ms Harris.
Since then, Democrats have rallied around the vice president in signs of growing enthusiasm for her candidacy. At 59, Harris is more than 20 years younger than Biden, quickly countering Republicans’ biggest attack on his candidacy.
Trump, 78, has also seen Republicans rally around his candidacy since the July 13 assassination attempt at a rally – a shocking incident that ended with Trump pumping his fist and urging his supporters to fight, with blood streaming from his ears and down his face.
In the past two weeks, some have speculated that the Trump-Biden race is emblematic of the lack of enthusiasm surrounding it and that voter turnout may be lower than in past elections.
While it remains to be seen whether turnout will increase, a New York Times/Siena College poll conducted this week found growing support and enthusiasm for both Harris and Trump, suggesting a sharp decline in the number of so-called “double haters” who dislike both candidates.
Trump appeared to have a commanding lead over Biden, but polls released after the president left the White House suggest a close race.
A Fox News poll released Friday found Harris tied with Trump in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and trailing Trump by one point in Wisconsin.
A key development to watch will be whether Harris and Trump face off in a debate in the coming months.
Harris is looking first to the Democratic National Convention, where she is almost certain to be the Democratic nominee, having already secured the delegate support needed to secure the nomination, and no one has come forward to challenge her as the party tries to rally behind her.
Trump had planned to hold a second debate with Biden in September, but it is unclear whether he will go ahead with that plan with Harris. Since Harris’ inclusion, Trump has called for the debate to be moved from ABC to Fox News.
The first debate between Trump and Biden dramatically changed the dynamics of the race, as concerns about Biden’s age emerged as Biden stumbled through the floor.
