Launching re-election campaign, President Trump calls for 'Keep America Great'
US President pledges to fight illegal immigration and fight for blue collar workers as he launches 2020 re-election campaign.
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US President Donald Trump at the re-election campaign launch event in Orlando on June 18. Photo:Reuters |
Speaking at a packed rally in Orlando, Florida on June 18, US President Donald Trump promised to "have an earthquake at the ballot box" next year, and officially announced his entry into the 2020 re-election race.
"We've done it once and we'll do it again," he told 20,000 supporters, referring to his "Keep America Great" campaign slogan. "That's why I stand before you tonight to officially launch my campaign for a second term as president of the United States."
He offered no new ideas or plans for the future during his nearly 80-minute speech amid a sea of red-hatted people chanting "America" and "4 more years."
Trump reiterated his promise to build a wall along the Mexican border, touted the economic benefits he would bring to the country, and vowed to oversee the cure for cancer and AIDS, and pave the way for sending American astronauts to Mars.
The speech was aimed at the grievances and fears of white middle- and working-class voters who helped him to a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
Trump told the crowd that together they had created “a great political movement” and “exposed a broken and corrupt political establishment”. “We will continue to make America great again,” Trump said. “Yes, we will keep it great.”
Earlier, Trump supporters lined up on Orlando sidewalks, set up tents, and sat on chairs overnight to get in to see him. "This is a historic event, we wouldn't miss it for any reason," said David Meloney, a loyal Trump fan.
Florida is a key state in the 2020 election, when Trump is likely to face one of 23 Democratic candidates. Trump's strongest card is the current "health" of the US economy, which he describes as "the envy of the world".
But Trump said the "American dream" was in danger because of illegal immigrants, stressing that the border wall project would continue.
"Mass illegal immigration brings millions of low-wage workers to the United States, competing for jobs, wages, and opportunities with vulnerable Americans, cutting off their path to the American dream," he said.
