Trump pauses his campaign rallies while Harris and Walz actively tour key states

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on August 8, 2024, former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced that he would refrain from holding campaign rallies until after the Democratic National Convention, which concludes on August 22. When questioned about his lack of campaign activity, Trump cited his significant lead and his strategy to wait until the Democratic convention was over before ramping up his campaign efforts.

Trump’s current campaign approach is notably different from his 2016 strategy, where he held 27 rallies across 15 states in August alone. This year, he has only conducted one rally so far. In contrast, his Democratic opponents, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, along with his Republican running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have been actively campaigning in key battleground states.

Harris and Walz have been busy with rallies in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada, while Trump has remained at Mar-a-Lago, engaging in phone interviews and podcasts. His public schedule indicates a reduced number of rallies, with only one event listed on his campaign website—a rally in Montana to support GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy.

Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, emphasized that Trump has a busy travel schedule with various events planned, despite the apparent reduction in rallies. With the presidential race in a statistical tie and less than 13 weeks until Election Day, Trump’s decision to limit his campaign activities is unusual and could impact his ability to connect with voters.

In 2016, Trump held numerous rallies in August, which played a crucial role in his victory. This year, however, his campaign activities have been more subdued, partly due to an assassination attempt in July. Instead of frequent rallies, Trump has participated in media interviews, including a livestream with influencer Adin Ross and an upcoming interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Meanwhile, JD Vance has taken on a more prominent role in the campaign, defending Trump’s strategy and participating in events in Michigan and Wisconsin. Vance’s appearances have been smaller, focusing on press remarks rather than large rallies.