Donald Trump labeled Philadelphia “one of the most egregious” places in the world during a rally in the city. The former president and presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election spoke at Temple University’s Liacouras Center on June 22 as part of his campaign. according to Newsweek.
Pennsylvania, a key swing state, narrowly elected Joe Biden in 2020 by about 80,000 votes after choosing Trump in 2016, ending a 24-year Democratic streak. Historically, winning Pennsylvania has been crucial for presidential candidates: only twice between 1932 and 1988 did a candidate win the White House without also winning Pennsylvania, and no Democrat has won the presidency without the state since 1948.
In his 85-minute speech, Trump reiterated unproven claims of election fraud in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election, describing the alleged fraud in Philadelphia as “egregious.”
“We cannot let this happen again,” Trump declared. “And Philadelphia was one of the most egregious places anywhere in the world—what happened in this city. They used COVID to cheat, they used a lot of things to cheat, but we’re not going to let it happen again.”
In response to a request for comment, Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, told Newsweek: “Another cheap fake from the Biden campaign. He was clearly talking about election integrity from 2020.”
Despite his harsh criticism, Trump also mentioned his fondness for Philadelphia, noting he had attended school there. told by Reuters.
Trump’s comments follow reports that he called a Wisconsin city “horrible” during a closed-door meeting with GOP lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.
The meeting was a precursor to the Republican National Convention, set to take place in Milwaukee from July 15 to 18, where Trump is expected to be chosen as the party’s nominee.
According to Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News, Trump criticized the convention’s location, saying, “Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city.”
Cheung denied the report on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Wrong. Total bull****. He never said it like how it’s been falsely characterized. He was talking about how terrible crime and voter fraud are.”
Experts suggest such comments could alienate voters, potentially impacting the tight polls ahead of the presidential election.
On June 27, Biden and Trump are set to face off in Atlanta for the first of two scheduled debates before the general election on November 5.
