Donald Trump repeats claim that Kamala Harris is “mentally impaired” despite Republican criticism of personal attacks

Topline

Former President Donald Trump repeated the claim that his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, was born “mentally impaired,” seemingly ignoring criticism from some Republicans who made a similar claim at a rally on Saturday.

Important facts

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Important background

Some Republicans have been encouraging Trump for weeks to stop making personal attacks on Harris and Democrats and focus on policy differences. In mid-August, Trump said he believed he was “entitled to make personal attacks” on Harris and suggested he made the comments because he was angry with her “for what she has done to the country.” Since Harris assumed the Democratic nomination, Trump has attacked her intelligence, her laughter and her race, suggesting that she has changed her racial identity from Indian to black.

tangent

Despite repeating his own claims that people found offensive and hateful, Trump recently blamed Harris and Biden’s rhetoric for inciting violence. In an interview with Fox News Digital on September 16, Trump claimed that the suspect in the second assassination attempt on his life “believed and acted on the rhetoric of Biden and Harris.” Although the FBI did not disclose a motive for the attempt, Trump claimed “their rhetoric is getting me shot.”

Big number

2.8. That’s how many points Harris is ahead of Trump, according to FiveThirtyEight’s latest national polling average. The RealClearPolitics average showed Harris leading by two points Sunday afternoon.

Main critic

The American Association of People with Disabilities released a statement Sunday calling Trump’s comments about Harris on Saturday “both retarded and inaccurate.” The statement continued: “Trump’s disability comments yesterday say far more about him and his inaccurate, hateful prejudices against disabled people than they do about Vice President Harris or any person with a disability.” Trump espouses the ableist, false belief that a person with a disability is less human and less worthy of dignity.”

Further reading

ForbesTrump says he is “entitled to make personal attacks” against Harris, despite calls from Republicans to stop insultsFrom Antonio Pequeno IVAP NewsSome Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump’s latest attack on Harris’ mental fitness