Former President Donald Trump is set to hold a rally in Coachella, California, which has sparked curiosity among many. The announcement of the rally just five days before the event caused a stir online. Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, shared a link to free tickets for the event at Coachella’s Calhoun Ranch and expressed excitement about it. However, no information was provided regarding why Trump chose this particular location or why he decided to campaign in a Democrat-dominated state like California.
Some commenters on Miller’s post questioned the boldness of campaigning in Vice President Kamala Harris’ home state. Others wondered if Trump should focus his efforts on swing states crucial for an Electoral College victory. Despite this, Trump has campaigned in several Democrat-dominated states that are unlikely to vote for him.
Coachella is known for its predominantly Hispanic population, which has traditionally supported Democratic candidates but has shown some shifting towards Republicans in recent polls. The Trump campaign indicated that during his speech at Coachella, the former president would contrast his economic policies with those of Harris.
The release from the campaign highlighted rising prices for goods and services in California under President Joe Biden and Harris’ administration. It also mentioned soaring median home prices and high unemployment rates in the state.
This appears to be Trump’s first rally in California since his successful presidential run eight years ago. However, he has made stops in California during this campaign season for fundraising events and party conventions.
Evelyn Nunez-Jones, a MAGA Republican organizer from Orange County, believes that Trump is coming to California because he cares about Hispanics and wants to address issues such as homelessness and drug-related deaths plaguing the state.
Political insiders suggest that even if winning traditionally “blue” states like California may be unlikely for Trump, campaigning there could help him secure support from other Republicans who can assist with implementing his agenda if he wins the presidency. Additionally, boosting his popular vote tally could strengthen his overall victory if he prevails both electorally and popularly.
It remains unclear why exactly Coachella was chosen as the location for this rally or what specific goals or strategies are behind it.