Amid Covid, Trump looks to reset campaign with Tulsa rally

Washington, June 20

Pressing ahead in the Covid pandemic, US President Donald Trump looked to reverse a decline in his political fortunes on Saturday by returning to the format that has so often energised himself and his loyal supporters: a raucous, no-holds-barred rally before tens of thousands of ardent fans, this time in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The rally was shaping up to be one of the biggest indoor events in the US since large gatherings were shut down in March because of Covid, and it was scheduled over the protests of local health officials and as cases spike in many states. The event was expected to draw crowds of protesters to the area as well. It’s been more than three months since the nation last saw a Trump rally.

The unemployment rate stood at about 3.5 per cent that March 2. “Our country is stronger than ever before,” Trump declared.

Now, the unemployment rate stands at 13.3 per cent, based on the most recent monthly report. The number of confirmed Covid cases has soared to about 2.2 million. The number of deaths reported in the US has surpassed 1,19,000. Only about a quarter of Americans say the country is headed in the right direction. Trump understands the stakes and was determined to return to his signature campaign events. He dismissed complaints that bringing together throngs for an indoor rally risked Covid spread.

“Big crowds and lines already forming in Tulsa. My campaign hasn’t started yet. It starts on Saturday night in Oklahoma!” Trump tweeted Friday. — AP

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