Topline
In the absence of a consistent and powerful line of attack against Joe Biden, Republicans and allies of President Trump are turning to more wild and baseless attacks on the Democratic nominee in the final days before November 3rd.
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on October 22, 2020 shows US President Donald Trump (L) ... [+]
Key Facts
“Child smuggling”: On a call with reporters Wednesday, White House senior adviser Stephen Miller baselessly claimed Biden "would incentivize child smuggling and child trafficking on an epic global scale,” while adding, falsely, the Trump administration had “kept [immigrant] families together."
A rush for the border: While stumping for Republican candidates in Iowa on Wednesday, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) claimed if Biden wins there will be “a rush for our border,” (Biden has said he essentially wants to revert back to Obama administration immigration policies.)
Hillary Clinton: At a rally in Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel claimed Biden would pack the Supreme Court by nominating Hillary Clinton as justice, even though Biden has never indicated he would do so.
Biden’s roots: In Allentown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Trump sought to play down Biden’s Keystone State roots, saying Biden grew up “nowhere” before adding he “never grew up” (Biden and his family moved from the state to Delaware when he was 10 because his father, Joe Sr., had been commuting to Wilmington for work.)
Flag burning: At the Michigan rally Tuesday, Trump told supporters that “flag burning radicals on the street will be running your government” if Biden wins the election.
On Biden’s fighting ability: Trump slammed Biden over his fighting ability Tuesday, claiming he asked UFC President Dana White whether the Democratic nominee would be a good fighter: "One gentle little touch to the face and he's down,” Trump said, apparently quoting White.
Crowd size: Trump has repeatedly slammed Biden for not holding bigger rallies, even as the CDC recommends people avoid crowds:
Biden’s sunglasses: Trump attack Biden over his sunglasses during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, saying: "You see the new sunglasses? The Aviators? They should be larger, cover up those eyes."
Biden as a zombie: The Trump campaign ran a bizarre ad on YouTube this week comparing Biden to a “zombie” including having a “corpse like a parrot” and craving “human flesh,” which the narrator says as the ad depicts Biden bending down next to a young girl.
George Lopez: Trump and his campaign jumped on a clip from a virtual fundraiser this week that purported to show Biden confusing Trump with former President George W. Bush as proof the former Democratic nominee was in mental decline (the claim is highly misleading: Biden was being interviewed by George Lopez, and may have simply been redirecting the line of questioning back to Lopez in the clip.)
Key Background
In 2016, Trump and his allies used similar smear tactics against then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, painted her as “crooked,” dishonest, and a member of the out of touch establishment who didn’t understand the needs of the typical working American. Polling shows some of those scorched-earth attack lines may have resonated. While Trump had historically high disapproval ratings as a candidate, Clinton did as well. Polls showed voters also lacked trust in both Clinton and Trump. Trump has had more trouble defining Biden, however. Biden’s favorability ratings are higher than Clinton’s, and polls show voters think he’s “honest” and “likeable.” Throughout the campaign, Trump has bounced back and forth between labeling Biden a “radical” and a washed up member of the establishment who is in bed with China.
Crucial Quote
At a rally in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday night, Trump tipped his hand for how he believes voters perceive Biden. “If Biden wins he will do bad things, Trump said, before adding, “By the way, he’s not a good guy.”
Tangent
Miller’s claim Biden would “incentivize child smuggling” echoes claims by supporters of the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon.
Further Reading
What Is QAnon And How Might It Impact The U.S. Election? (Forbes)
All The Ways Trumpworld Is Crafting An Alternate Reality In The Election’s Final Days (Forbes)
