Donald Trump speaks about Arnold Palmer for ten minutes at the rally

Topline

Former President Donald Trump opened a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Saturday by talking about the late golfer Arnold Palmer for more than 10 minutes – and telling a story about Palmer's genitals – marking the latest bizarre move by Trump at a rally just weeks before election day.

Important facts

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Big number

16. That's how many days remain until Election Day, when Trump will face Harris in what is expected to be a closely contested race. FiveThirtyEight's national average showed Harris with a 2-point lead over Trump as of Sunday morning.

Important background

Trump has been holding rallies in battleground states in recent weeks as Election Day approaches, and he has repeatedly gone off script, sometimes confusing viewers. Last Monday, Trump stopped a town hall-style event while attendees received medical attention, and instead of resuming it, he had his team play music for nearly half an hour while he danced on stage. After the rally, Harris shared a clip on social media and said, “I hope he's OK.” Trump has been known to rant at his rallies in the past, referencing the fictional character “the late great.” Hannibal Lecter” refers to when he talks about immigration, talks about his charges, and has crowds chanting attacks on Harris and Biden. Trump's team had reportedly said his speech on Saturday would be the start of his effort to deliver closing arguments against Vice President Kamala Harris, although he mostly stuck to his usual talking points of criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the border and personal ones Attacks on Harris. Trump's meandering speaking style has led some critics to raise questions about the 78-year-old's mental acuity, which he typically dismisses.

Main critic

Peg Palmer, the golfer's daughter, said in 2018, according to Rolling Stone: “He was appalled by Trump's lack of civility… and what he began to see as Trump's lack of character.” “He didn't like it when others were mean and were rude.”

Further reading

AP NewsTrump opens a rally in Pennsylvania by talking about Arnold Palmer's genitals
NytimesAt a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump reaches new levels of vulgarityForbes“Let's just listen to music”: Trump turns the town hall into a concert, triggering ridicule from HarrisFrom Siladitya Ray