Donald Trump says 'I don't mind' if reporters are shot in demented campaign rally rant

Just two days before, delivered a shocking and conspiracy-laden tirade, musing about journalists being shot and hinting that he "shouldn't have left" the White House after his 2020 defeat to . In a departure from his usual campaign trail rhetoric on Sunday, the ex-president cast aspersions on the electoral process and revisited past complaints about legal pursuits following his attempts to dispute his loss four years prior.

At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump ramped up his diatribe against what he termed "grossly incompetent" national leaders and the American press corps, at one point diverging onto a discussion about violence targeting journalists.

The Republican standard-bearer reflected on the bulletproof glass installed at his events following a July assassination attempt, specifically referencing an incident in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump then mentioned areas where he noticed gaps in the protective barrier.

"I have this piece of glass here," he said, gesturing towards the transparent shield. "But all we have really over here is the fake news.

"And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don't mind that so much."

Shockingly, these controversial remarks were not the first instance of Trump invoking firearms in connection with perceived adversaries, reports . Shortly before, he implied that former Representative Liz Cheney, a vocal Republican critic, might recant her support for foreign military interventions if she faced "nine barrels shooting at her. ".

With the election ticking down to its final hours, President Trump has persisted in spreading unproven claims about voter fraud, insisting the only way he can lose to Democrat Kamala Harris is if the election is rigged against him, despite polls showing a highly competitive race. High-profile ally Steve Bannon backs Trump's strategy to declare an early victory, reminiscent of his actions in the last election, which escalated into the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol.

However, Trump's campaign emphasised that recent comments concerning media safety were misconstrued, claiming the President was referencing attempts on his life. "President Trump was brilliantly talking about the two assassination attempts on his own life, including one that came within 1/4 of an inch from killing him, something that the Media constantly talks and jokes about," said campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung.

"The President's statement about protective glass placement has nothing to do with the Media being harmed, or anything else."

Contrasting Trump's divisive approach, Kamala Harris spoke to a church in Michigan, promising a "divine plan strong enough to heal division," urging a vote for unity over "chaos, fear and hate."

She focused her efforts on Michigan, kicking off the day by addressing a few hundred worshippers at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit. This marked the fourth consecutive Sunday that Harris, a Baptist, has spoken to a predominantly Black congregation, underscoring the crucial role Black voters play in multiple battleground states.

"I see faith in action in remarkable ways," she said in remarks that referenced the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. "I see a nation determined to turn the page on hate and division and chart a new way forward. As I travel, I see Americans from so-called red states and so-called blue states who are ready to bend the arc of history toward justice."

Harris refrained from mentioning Trump, though she is likely to revert to her more conventional partisan rhetoric in later appearances on Sunday.

However, she did caution her receptive audience that "there are those who seek to deepen division, sow hate, spread fear and cause chaos."

The election and "this moment in our nation," she emphasized, "has to be about so much more than partisan politics. It must be about the good work we can do together."

Harris concluded her remarks within approximately 11 minutes, starting and ending during Trump's roughly 90-minute speech at an outdoor rally in chilly Pennsylvania. Trump is known for his erratic speaking style he dubs "the weave" as he veers from subject to subject. But he strayed from his usual talking points on the economy, immigration, and standard critiques of Harris during a rally outside Lancaster airport.

Instead, he launched into extended digressions, barely touching on his regular subjects. In a particularly harsh attack, Trump called John Bolton, his former national security adviser turned critic, a "dumb son of a b_."

He also reiterated unfounded claims about voter fraud, insisting that Democrats could only win by cheating, despite public polls showing a close race in key battleground states.

"It's a crooked country," Trump declared. "And we're going to make it straight. We're going to make it straight."

Vice President Harris countered Trump's assertions about American elections, asserting to reporters after attending a church service that his remarks are designed to divert attention from the nation's commitment to free and fair elections. She highlighted that these "good systems" were operational in 2020 when "he lost."

Harris expressed confidence in the integrity of the upcoming vote count and encouraged voters, especially those who haven't cast their ballots yet, to ignore such tactics, which she believes include insinuations that their votes won't count.

The vice president subtly recognised the substantial Arab American population in Michigan, acknowledging their discontent with the Biden administration's ongoing support for Israel amidst the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. "I have been very clear that the level of death of innocent Palestinians is unconscionable," Harris remarked to journalists on Sunday following a church service.

"We need to end the war, and we need to get the hostages out. And as president of the United States, I will do everything in my power to achieve that end."

Meanwhile, Trump admitted he was deviating from his typical rhetoric with his conspiracy-laden speech. He openly spoke about ignoring his advisers' counsel, mimicking them in a derisive tone and stressing the necessity to discuss election fraud.

Susie Wiles, co-campaign manager and often hailed for instilling discipline in Trump's sometimes tumultuous political endeavours, observed the former president in silence from the sidelines.

Trump hinted that this particular rendition of his speech might be a one-off event: "I hope you've enjoyed this," he declared, "because I'm only doing this one time."