Donald Trump, the former U.S. President and current Republican candidate, resumed his campaign with rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan amidst his ongoing trial in New York. Trump, facing allegations of falsifying records, used this campaign opportunity to vocalize his dissatisfaction with the current political landscape and make several contentious remarks. Notably, he admitted directing his Secret Service to go to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, criticized President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel, and forecasted dire consequences if he were not reelected in November. He also expressed support for the reversal of Roe vs. Wade and denied all allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Simultaneously, Republicans have leveraged recent campus protests across various universities, including Columbia University and the City College of New York, to criticize President Biden for what they perceive as his inadequate response to the unrest. The protests, which have seen arrests and clashes, have prompted the White House to denounce the violence and call for peaceful demonstrations. Amid these tensions, Senator Tom Cotton and other Republicans have labeled Biden’s actions as insufficient. Meanwhile, billionaire Republican donor John Catsimatidis commented on Trump’s legal challenges, suggesting they may actually boost his political standing by increasing donor engagement and support.