October 20, 2024

 


At a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump opened with an unusual and crude commentary about golf legend Arnold Palmer. Trump spoke about Palmer's "manliness," making references to the golfer's genitalia. He described Palmer as "all man," and, although he expressed some respect toward women in his remarks, the comments were criticized for their vulgarity and the odd focus on such a topic at a political event .


Donald Trump’s campaign hinted that he would use Saturday night to preview his final arguments, with Election Day just two weeks away. However, instead of immediately addressing the issues, Trump opened his rally with a lengthy tribute to golf legend Arnold Palmer. In Latrobe, Pennsylvania—Palmer’s birthplace—Trump spoke for 12 minutes about Palmer, even making a controversial remark about the golfer’s genitalia.

Politicians often pay tribute to Palmer in his hometown, but Trump’s approach was unconventional. He praised Palmer, saying, “Arnold Palmer was all man, and I say that with respect to women,” before going further with a story about Palmer showering with other golfers, saying they were amazed by him. Trump made these comments while attempting to keep his rally lighthearted but faced backlash, including from Palmer’s daughter.



Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, had initially told reporters that Trump would focus on his final campaign message, targeting Vice President Kamala Harris and addressing policy. While Trump did touch on familiar campaign themes, such as tax policies and military strength from his first term, he did not provide much new direction for his campaign.

Throughout the rally, Trump criticized Harris, calling her “crazy” and using profane language to describe her tenure as vice president. He also brought up Harris’ past stance on banning fracking, a key issue in Pennsylvania.

Trump’s speech shifted focus frequently, from boasting about union endorsements and wearing a construction hat to recounting a recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also commented on the increased security presence around him, a reference to assassination attempts, before circling back to praise Palmer, comparing the security personnel to Palmer’s iconic image.