Trump to Campaign in Battleground States as Democrats Hold Convention

Presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Wilkes Barre, Pa., on Aug. 17, 2024. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump, his running mate, and their allies are “barnstorming” across battleground states this week, his campaign announced.

While the opposing party gathers in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19–22, the Republican presidential team, Trump and Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), “will bring their America First message to voters,” a news release said.

In addition, Trump surrogates will conduct daily press conferences in Chicago to get out their side of the story, the campaign said, and other events will be held in various swing states.

“As they meet Americans where they are in battleground states across the country, President Trump and Senator Vance will remind voters that under their leadership, we can end inflation, protect our communities from violent criminals, secure the border, and Make America Great Again,” campaign spokespersons Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a news release.

The Trump campaign continues to point out that their political opponents—Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz—have held no news conferences in nearly a month since they emerged as the opposing party’s presidential ticket.

Harris was formally nominated in a virtual roll call earlier this month. Since then, polls have shown the race tightening between Trump and Harris, with two recent surveys showing the Democratic nominee leading Trump by three to six points.

Republicans chose Trump and Vance as the candidates at their party’s convention in Milwaukee last month, days after Trump survived an assassination attempt.

“As he demonstrated tremendous strength and resolve following an attempt on his life, President Trump’s convention focused on the policies and leadership to which Americans are desperate to return,” the Trump campaign said.

Each day this week, the campaign will focus on a different theme.

On Aug. 19, Trump and Vance will both campaign in Pennsylvania and discuss how they'd “Make America Wealthy Again.”

On Aug. 20, in Wisconsin, the theme will be their  “Make America Safe Again” agenda.

On Aug. 21, Trump and Vance will appear together in Asheboro, North Carolina, and speak about their plans to “Make America Strong Again.”

On Aug. 22, Trump will go to the U.S.-Mexico border in Montezuma Pass, Arizona, while Vance will travel to Valdosta, Georgia, to talk about improving immigration policies to “Make America Secure Again.”

On Aug. 23, Trump will hold a rally in Glendale, Arizona, and will also lead a “No Tax on Tips” session in Las Vegas.