Trump Criticizes China, Claims U.S. Military is Superior

At a campaign rally, Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump declared that in a confrontation with China, “we will kick their ass,” asserting, “We have the greatest military in the world.”

Criticizing what he described as a decline in global respect for the U.S. under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump stated, “A report issued claimed that if we end up in a war with China, we cannot win. We’re not strong enough.” He emphasized, “We have the greatest military in the world,” and dismissed the report as false.

He implied that the report likely came from the Commission on the National Defense Strategy, which earlier suggested the U.S. military lacks the capabilities to deter or prevail in combat against China, indicating that China is outpacing the U.S. militarily in the Western Pacific.

Trump’s remarks fit his broader campaign theme of restoring American greatness, which he believes has been undermined by the current administration. He stated, “If we win, our enemies won’t be laughing anymore.”

The rally at Madison Square Garden drew a crowd of about 19,000, with thousands more outside unable to enter. Inside, the audience frequently interrupted him with chants of “USA, USA” and “Four more years.”

While much of his nearly 90-minute speech focused on immigration and inflation, he portrayed himself as a stabilizing force in world affairs. He referenced former rival Hillary Clinton’s warnings about his presidency potentially starting World War III, countering that he was the first president in 82 years not to initiate foreign military intervention. He claimed that if he were still in office, Russia would not have invaded Ukraine and Hamas would not have attacked Israel.

On trade, Trump reiterated his intention to implement the Trump Reciprocal Tax Act, which would impose tariffs equal to those charged by other countries on U.S. imports. He expressed a commitment to bringing manufacturing jobs back to America.

Trump promised a “golden age” of prosperity, while also attacking Harris as dishonest, disputing her claims about past employment at McDonald’s. He claimed that he had longer work experience at a restaurant than she did.

He described Google CEO Sundar Pichai as “a very smart guy,” sharing a story about a conversation they had regarding media attention on McDonald’s.

While Trump continued to criticize Harris as a radical leftist, he also made a play for inclusivity, stating, “We bleed the same blood. We share the same hope. We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God.”

Despite the rally’s focus on serious topics, it was also interspersed with entertainment elements, including music and videos showcasing crimes attributed to migrants.

As he addressed the crowd, Trump reflected on his ties to New York, where he was born and raised, declaring, “This is the city that taught me that Americans can do anything.”

Although Trump has relocated his official residence to Florida, he maintains a penthouse in Trump Tower. His wife, Melania, introduced him, recalling a previous rally in the South Bronx.

Despite his unpopularity in the city during the 2020 election, where he received only 23% of the vote, Trump aimed to project a message of unity, stating he was building “the biggest, broadest coalition in the history of the country.”

While he avoided explicit racist comments, some speakers before him did not. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson made derogatory remarks about Harris, whose mother is Indian, labeling her in a disparaging manner.

Elon Musk, whom Trump announced would head a government efficiency panel, claimed he could cut $2 trillion from the current federal budget.