Trump lashes out at rivals at Minneapolis rally
U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at his political enemies on Thursday (October 10), cheered on by thousands of supporters at a campaign rally in Minneapolis.
It's the first rally Trump has held since Democrats opened an impeachment inquiry in September.
The president said the unfolding investigation will only help him win in 2020.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:
"The Democrats' brazen attempt to overthrow the government will produce a backlash at the ballot box the likes of which they have never ever seen before in the history of this country."
Top U.S Democrat Nancy Pelosi opened the probe on September 24th.
Trump is accused of seeking help from Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
At the Minneapolis rally, Trump saved a personal attack for the Bidens, calling Hunter a "loser".
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:
"And your father was never considered smart. He was never considered a good senator. He was only a good Vice President because he understood how to kiss Barack Obama's ass."
Minnesota is Trump's first stop in a three-rally tour with events also scheduled in Louisiana and Texas next week.
Trump narrowly lost the state to Hilary Clinton in 2016
Now, he's trying to take it from Democratic hands.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:
"The fact is we're in a struggle for the survival of democracy in America. The only message these radical socialists and extremists will understand is a crushing defeat on November 3rd, 2020."
If the enthusiasm in the room was anything to go by, the night was a win for Trump.
While it's unclear how a drawn-out impeachment drama might impact popular support for the president, so far, Republicans have largely stuck by his side.
