Trump works to project party unity at Indiana rally
President Donald Trump was working to project party unity and forward momentum during a political rally in Elkhart, Indiana, on Thursday night after a bitter GOP primary battle in the state earlier this week.
Posted — UpdatedAlmost immediately after taking the stage inside a packed middle school gymnasium, Trump hailed his recent foreign policy accomplishments, including securing the release of three American prisoners from North Korea.
"America is being respected again," Trump proclaimed to cheers.
He said the relationship between the US and North Korea was "good."
"You remember everybody in the fake news, when they were saying he's going to get us into a nuclear war?" he said to boos. "And you know what gets you into nuclear wars, and you know what gets you into other wars? Weakness."
Trump traveled to Elkhart two days after former state Rep. Mike Braun secured his place on the November ballot against the vulnerable Democratic incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly. Braun beat out two sitting congressmen in a surprise upset.
Trump also hailed economic improvements in the country -- a potent topic in Elkhart, which then-President Barack Obama visited in 2009 only days into his term. Obama returned to the town, a hub of recreational vehicle manufacturing, in 2016.
Campaigning against Donnelly
For Trump, the rally provided an opportunity to hit at Donnelly, who represented a district that included Elkhart during his time in the US House.
Trump railed against Democrats and Donnelly in particular, and he brought out Braun to address the crowd.
"We need Mike Braun in the Senate," Trump said, adding later, "Now if Joe Donnelly, Sleepin' Joe, and the Democrats get back into power, remember what I said, they will raise your taxes. ... They will destroy your jobs, and they are going to knock the hell out of your borders."
Trump took issue with Donnelly's voting record and dinged his vote for "failed Obamacare."
Trump teased something new on health care soon and touted the repeal of the law's individual mandate last year.
"Wait till you see the plans we have coming out literally over the next four weeks," Trump said. "We have great health care plans coming out."
Trump is expected to assume a larger role on the campaign trail in coming months as Republicans work to retain control of the House and Senate.
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