Donald Trump has lashed out at “stupid” critics from within the Republican party and appealed for unity amid warnings they are facing an election “bloodbath”.
Speaking at his latest campaign rally in Nevada last night, the President addressed criticism from one Republican senator, Ben Sasse, who recently told his constituents in Nebraska that Mr Trump “kisses dictators’ butts,” mistreats women and uses the White House as a business.
Earlier this month senator Ted Cruz warned that the Republicans were facing “a bloodbath of Watergate proportions” in the November 3 election, referring to the scandal that forced Richard Nixon to resign from the presidency in 1974. “We have some stupid people,” Mr Trump said at the rally in Carson City, Nevada’s capital.
“We have this guy Sasse, you know, wants to make a statement… The Republicans have to stick together better.”
The President, 74, is scrambling to make up lost ground following his treatment for Covid-19, with the latest opinion polls giving Democratic candidate Joe Biden, 77, an eight point lead nationwide.
Mr Trump is on a whirlwind multi-state tour that takes him to Arizona today. He sat in the front row at the non-denominational International Church of Las Vegas as the senior associate pastor, Denise Goulet, said God told her early that morning that the President would secure a second term.
She said: “At 4.30, the Lord said to me: ‘I am going to give your President a second win,”’ she said. Mr Trump spoke briefly, saying “I love going to churches” and that it was “a great honour” to attend the service. He dropped a wad of $20 notes in the collection plate.
Mr Biden, a Catholic, attended mass in Delaware before campaigning in North Carolina, where a Democrat has not won in a presidential race since Barack Obama in 2008.
Meanwhile, a row broke out over yesterday’s Beach Boys’ fundraising concert for Mr Trump at Newport Beach. Founding member Brian Wilson said he had “nothing to do with” it, which was led by original bandmate Mike Love who has permission to tour as the group.
