Donald Trump recently made an appearance at a rally in Dayton, Ohio. This event was organized by the super PAC Buckeye Values to support Bernie Moreno, the Senate candidate Trump has endorsed for the GOP primary.
Bernie Moreno is in the race against state Senator Matt Dolan and Secretary of State Frank LaRose for the Republican nomination. The victor will challenge Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown in the upcoming election. Brown, alongside Jon Tester from Montana, is one of the two Democrats seeking reelection in states that lean Republican. These elections are crucial as they could determine which party will control the Senate.
Trump’s support for Moreno comes at a critical time. However, Moreno faces stiff competition from Dolan, who has recently received endorsements from former Senator Rob Portman and Governor Mike DeWine, two prominent Ohio Republicans. These endorsements pose a significant challenge for Moreno as the Ohio primary approaches this Tuesday.
During his speech at the rally, Trump encountered some issues with the teleprompter, leading him to speak off the cuff. This resulted in several gaffes and mispronunciations, which, despite the malfunctioning teleprompter, are becoming familiar occurrences at Trump’s rallies.
Trump also took the opportunity to praise Moreno and reiterate his usual claims. He described himself as the most persecuted president in history, criticized President Biden, and attacked special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading two federal investigations against him. Trump also continued to make unfounded claims about migrants being “hardened criminals” and expressed his belief that they are “destroying our country.”
A Trump rally wouldn’t be complete without him discussing the election he lost, claiming it was rigged. He warned of dire consequences if he isn’t reelected, suggesting that it would be a “bloodbath for the country” and even implying that the future of elections in the country could be at risk if he doesn’t win.
Bernie Moreno, a successful businessman with a background in car dealerships, also spoke at the rally. He called Trump “a great American.” Recently, Moreno was involved in a controversy when the Associated Press reported on a 2008 profile on a website called Adult Friend Finder, seeking “Men for 1-on-1 sex.” Moreno’s lawyer stated that the profile was created by an intern as a prank.
The rally also featured speeches from other political figures who support Trump and Moreno, including J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
Trump’s influence in Ohio remains strong, having won the state in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Currently, the Republican Party holds the top offices statewide.