Donald Trump has transformed an address billed around the economy into a broadside against progressive Democrats, warning that their recent primary wins could signal a perilous turn for the party before November’s midterm elections.
The US president’s Las Vegas appearance formed part of a more forceful White House effort to draw attention to progressive candidates, as voters continue to express dissatisfaction with his management of the economy and the war with Iran.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters at Red Rock Casino, Mr Trump delivered a rambling address one day after progressive candidates secured significant victories in Michigan’s Democratic primaries.
He also highlighted tax provisions in last year’s Republican spending package, including measures that remove taxes on tips, overtime wages and Social Security income for many Americans.
Progressives targeted
Yet the primary results in Michigan and other states quickly became the central focus of Mr Trump’s remarks.
He portrayed Democratic socialists as a growing communist threat, saying they endangered the American way of life.
“I think it’s the greatest threat,” he said.
Neither of the two Democratic candidates who won in Michigan describes themselves as a Democratic socialist, though some progressive contenders who prevailed in earlier primaries do.
Socialism generally supports public control of major industries while preserving some private ownership and market activity.
Democratic socialism seeks to advance those aims through democratic institutions.
Communism goes further, calling for the elimination of private property and the creation of a classless society.
Mr Trump also singled out Abdul El-Sayed, who won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday and is due to face Trump-endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in November.
“He doesn’t love Israel. He doesn’t love Jewish people. He hates them. He hates them with a passion that burns in his heart, and there’s not a fricking thing he can do about it.”
Mr El-Sayed has denounced antisemitism and argued that criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories should not be treated as antisemitic.
The 41-year-old doctor ran on a platform that included universal healthcare, an end to unconditional US aid to Israel and the abolition of ICE, the federal immigration agency that has led Mr Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan is part of a series of wins for progressives over centrists in Democratic primaries
With his poll ratings weakening, Mr Trump said he was frustrated that voters were not giving him sufficient recognition for his administration’s policies.
“I don’t get any credit for anything,” he said.
Mr Trump appeared alongside Republican congressional candidate Marty O’Donnell in the Las Vegas-area district held by Democratic Representative Susie Lee, a closely watched House battleground.
He credited Nevada’s service-industry workers, an important voting bloc in the state, with helping inspire the legislation’s temporary “no tax on tips” provision.
Democrats unanimously voted against the package, describing it as a benefit for wealthy Americans that came at the expense of safety-net programmes including Medicaid and food assistance.
Democratic leaders have aimed to make the war with Iran and rising prices defining issues of the midterm campaign.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that just one in three Americans supports the military campaign, highlighting the political difficulty facing Republicans as the cost of living remains voters’ leading concern.
At the Las Vegas event, Mr Trump’s supporters appeared prepared to give him more time to bring the Iran war to an end, but said they wanted a resolution soon.
“We want to wrap it up as soon as possible, not just to save American lives and get our gas prices down, but we have the midterms coming up,” said Francine Moshkovsky, a retired Veterans Affairs physician from Las Vegas.
