Former President Donald Trump ripped California’s liberal leaders at a massive rally in Coachella Saturday, after Hollywood movie star Dennis Quaid took the stage and told the crowd to “pick a side.”
“The radical left democrats have destroyed this state, but we are going to save it. We’re going to make it better than ever before,” Trump said to his supporters, many who braved the 100-degree heat at the outdoor rally.
“We’re not going to let [Harris] destroy our country like she did San Francisco,” Trump said to cheers.
Trump took the stage in Coachella, Calif., belting some classic barbs and pitching his vision of the country. Getty Images
“It’s a paradise lost, but we’re gonna bring it back,” Trump said adding, “Don’t worry about it, we’re gonna bring it back. It’ll happen fast.”
Then he waxed poetic about the great heights that California once represented.
“Through generations of American history California stood as a beacon of what our country aspired to become,” Trump said. “It had everything. It had the weather. It had the water. The state had the best schools, the safest communities, and a booming middle class.
“But all of it was eradicated by the very policies that Kamala Harris now wants to force upon America,” Trump added.
“Today California has the highest inflation, the highest taxes, the highest gas prices, the highest cost of living, the most regulations, the most expensive utilities, the most homelessness, the most crime, the most decay, and the most illegal aliens,” Trump added, “Other than that I think you’re doing quite well.”
Trump took aim at liberal California political leaders, including Vice President Harris, Governor Newsom, and Congressman Schiff. REUTERS
The Republican candidate tagged Harris as a radical and harped on her recent media flub.
Harris said on The View, on Tuesday, that she said she would not change any of the Biden administration decisions from over the last four years. Trump has been playing a video compilation at his rallies that features that comment from Harris spliced with news clips that enumerate policy failures of the administration – including the rising home prices and the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“Kamala Harris got you into this mess and only Trump can get you out of it, we’re gonna get you out of it,” the ex-prez said.
Actor Dennis Quaid speaks at a Trump-Vance campaign rally held at the Calhoun, Ranch in Coachella, Calif. on Oct. 12, 2024. AP
The Trump campaign brought out a list of speakers prior to the former president’s speech.
Former Senior Advisor to the White House Stephen Miller, Texas Congressman Wesley Hunt, and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz all made remarks – but actor Dennis Quaid stole the show.
The Tinseltown star – who recently played President Ronald Reagan in the eponymous film “Reagan” – spoke to the crowd and implored them to get out and vote for Donald Trump.
“I’m here today to tell you, that it’s time to pick a side,” Quaid said, donning a red MAGA and blue t-shirt in a fiery address, “Are we gonna be a nation that stands for the Constitution or for TikTok?”
The Tinseltown star – who recently played President Ronald Reagan in the eponymous film “Reagan” – spoke to the crowd and implored them to get out and vote for Donald Trump. ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Quaid went on to compare the current year with the 1980 election which saw Ronald Reagan come into office at a time of high inflation and low national morale.
“Reagan is my favorite president of the 20th century,” Quaid said, “Donald Trump is my favorite president of the 21st century.
Dennis was in attendance with his brother, Randy Quaid, who is an avid Trump supporter.
Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. AP
Trump also took aim at two of his other favorite targets from California – Governor Gavin Newsom and Congressman Adam Schiff.
The 45th President called Newsom by his pet-nickname “Gavin Newscum” and labeled him the “worst governor in the country.”
Thousands waited for hours in the 100-degree heat to hear President Trump speak. REUTERS
Trump also called California Congressman and current senate candidate Schiff “a real low-life” – calling him out for the Russia collusion investigation, which Schiff spearheaded in the congress.
The last time a Republican presidential candidate won California was 1988 – when then Vice President George HW Bush took the mantel from former California governor Ronald Reagan.
Trump campaigned in the Golden State even though its far from a swing state. He got a mere 34% of the California vote in the 2020 presidential election and 31% of the vote in 2016.
“With your vote I will act with urgency and speed to save America and rescue the people of California from Kamala Harris’ atrocious failures,” Trump said in sum.
