Trump pledges to save US economy from "obliteration"

Salem (Reuters): At a rally in Salem, Virginia, a state that analysts say he is unlikely to win, former President Donald Trump said on Saturday he ran for office to rescue the economy from "obliteration," even though it would have been easier to relax at one of his oceanfront resorts.

"I didn't need to be here today," he said. "I could have been standing on that beach, my beautiful white skin getting nice and being smacked, being smacked in the face by a wave loaded up with salt water."

Trump was joined on stage by women from a local college swim team who have objected to competing against transgender athletes. Some of Trump's TV ads have also sought to capitalize on transgender controversies.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who has carefully managed his relationship with the former president in the purple state, appeared on stage with Trump and urged residents to support him.

Harris and Trump have very different policies on major issues including support for Ukraine and NATO, abortion rights, immigration, taxes, democratic principles and tariffs, which reflect the schisms between the Democratic and Republican parties.