GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Former President Donald Trump triumphed over President Biden on Sunday, forcing the Democratic Party candidate to withdraw from the 2024 race.
Mr. Trump is the only major-party candidate left in the White House race as he waits for Democrats to rewrite their presidential ticket and nominate an opponent.
As Mr. Biden exited the race, Mr. Trump called him the “worst” president in history. He predicted that Vice President Kamala Harris, who has the inside track to replace Mr. Biden, will be even easier to defeat.
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve — And never was!” Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Mr. Biden made his decision just days after Mr. Trump officially became the Republican Party nominee and presided over a four-day convention in Milwaukee that displayed stunning unity and eight days after Mr. Trump survived an assassination attempt.
Democrats figured Mr. Biden was no longer a match for Mr. Trump politically and, worse, could drag down their prospects in the House and Senate. They must select a nominee for next month’s convention.
Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign adviser, said it doesn’t matter who the Democratic nominee is.
“I’m not the least bit concerned about any of them,” Mr. LaCivita told The Washington Times on Saturday as expectations rose that Mr. Biden would bow out.
“Look, inflation is a product of the Democrats,” he said. “The Afghanistan pullout is a product of the Democrats. The fact that we’re so close to World War III is a product of the Democrats. The economy being in the tank is a product of the Democrats.”
After he withdrew, Mr. Biden endorsed Ms. Harris.
Anticipating a change, Mr. Trump’s campaign began directing its criticisms at Ms. Harris at the Republican National Convention.
Mr. Trump, 78, told a massive campaign rally in Michigan over the weekend that he calls Ms. Harris “Laffin’ Kamala.”
SEE ALSO: Trump labels Biden as ‘worst president’ ever after Democrat ended his presidential run
“You ever watch her laugh? She’s crazy. You can tell a lot by a laugh. … She’s nuts,” Mr. Trump said.
He asked the crowd to pick — by the volume of boos — whether they would rather have him face off against Mr. Biden or Ms. Harris. The crowd seemed to prefer Mr. Biden as an opponent.
Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, the newly minted Republican vice presidential nominee, also chimed in.
“What has she done other than collect a check from political offices?” Mr. Vance said. “And we have to give her credit, my friends. She did serve as border czar during the biggest disaster, open border, that we have had in this country.”
Mr. Trump also jabbed at Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, another Democrat seen as eager to occupy the White House.
“I’d like to run against her, actually,” he said. “She has done a terrible job, but I would be very happy with her.”
Mr. Trump’s campaign seems to see Ms. Harris as the most likely opponent. In a statement Sunday, Mr. LaCivita and Susie Wiles, another senior Trump campaign adviser, said Ms. Harris shares Mr. Biden’s record.
They also said she has a unique vulnerability in serving him as vice president.
“Joe Biden cannot take himself out of a campaign for president because he is too mentally incompetent and still remain in the White House,” the campaign advisers said. “The question then to Kamala Harris is simple: Knowing that Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign because of his rapidly deteriorating condition, does Harris believe the people of America are safe and secure with Joe Biden in the White House for six more months?”
Mr. Trump emerged from the Republican National Convention stronger than ever. The attempted assassination also has elevated him to messianic status among his supporters. Even before the shooting during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Mr. Trump was leading in polls of swing states.
The image of a bloodied Mr. Trump with his hand raised has become iconic, and supporters have adopted his rallying cry as he left the stage: “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
They also have sent him a clear message: If he is willing to take a bullet for them, they are absolutely willing to take a bullet for him.
“We want Trump to know that we love you and care for you,” said Scott Lawrence, who traveled nearly five hours to attend the rally. “You know, his life is worth more than mine.”
Mr. LaCivita told The Times that the campaign will continue to “make its own luck.”
“The boss does not play ‘prevent defense,’ and neither do we,” he said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.