Staggering detail in first pic of Trump rally

Donald Trump has appeared at a rally after being targeted by the Obamas at the Democratic national convention. One detail about the stage is truly staggering.

Donald Trump has appeared behind tall bulletproof glass panels for his first outdoor rally since surviving an assassination attempt.

The former president took to the stage at an aviation museum in Asheboro, North Carolina, as part of a swing state tour coinciding with the Democratic National Convention.

In addition to the bulletproof panels, storage containers were placed around the perimeter and snipers were seen on roofs at the venue as he appeared on Thursday morning AEST.

Mr Trump was introduced by his running mate, JD Vance, who referenced the shooting that took place in a similarly open site in Pennsylvania a month ago.

“They couldn’t beat him at the ballot box so they tried to bankrupt him. They failed so they tried to impeach him,” Mr Vance said.

“They failed at that so they tried to put him in prison. And they even tried to kill him … Donald Trump still stands.”

Mr Trump thanked Mr Vance for doing a “fantastic job” as he walked from backstage to the bulletproof box, before repeatedly dubbing Vice President Kamala Harris “Comrade Harris”.

He stopped the speech at one point after a woman in the crowd fainted, hopping off stage to give her a hug when she came to, before resuming his speech.

Donald Trump appeared behind tall bulletproof glass panels at his first outdoor rally since surviving an assassination attempt. Picture: Peter Zay / AFP

Former US President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd as he stands behind bulletproof glass. Picture: by Peter Zay / AFP

Mr Trump boasted that America was “strong and respected” under his leadership.

“Four years ago, our country was strong and respected like never before. Our allies admired us, our enemies feared us, because everyone knew that,” he told the crowd.

“As an American president, I was all about putting America first. That’s true. Under my leadership, we rebuilt the United States military, created Space Force, and we made our allies pay their fair share and their fair dues.”

He will have his next rally on Friday evening local time in Arizona.

Mr Trump is awaiting news on independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is set to make also make a speech in Arizona on Friday.

Reports state Mr Kennedy will drop out of the race and endorse Mr Trump to bolster support against Ms Harris.

Meanwhile, the third night of the Democratic National Convention is starting to get underway.

Convention goers arrive for day three. Picture: Getty

Day three of the convention, which is being held in Chicago, will focus on Ms Harris’s running Tim Walz as keynote speaker.

He is expected to make a speech about his life and career.

“In his remarks at the Democratic national convention, Governor Tim Walz will introduce himself to the American people,” the campaign said in a statement.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz takes part in stage testing on the third day of the Democratic National Convention. Picture: Getty

“He will highlight the values that he learned growing up in a small town in Nebraska, which shaped his service in the national guard, as a teacher, football coach, member of Congress, and governor, and that he will bring to the White House.

“Governor Walz will lay out what Vice-President Harris will do for working families and call on the American people to work together to elect Kamala Harris president.”

It will also be a night of musical numbers, with Stevie Wonder and John Legend scheduled to perform.

Musician Stevie Wonder rehearses. Picture: Getty

Pink is set to close out the convention on Thursday.

Obamas torch Trump in fiery speeches

The rally comes just hours after Mr Trump was targeted by former President Barack Obama and wife Michelle during rousing speeches at day two of the Democratic national convention.

“His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black,” Michelle Obama said of Mr Trump.

Former US President Barack Obama speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention. Picture: AFP

Barack Obama was more crass with his criticism, making a cheeky hand gesture while referencing Mr Trump’s “obsession with crowd sizes”.

“There’s the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes,” Mr Obama said.

Why swing state is crucial for Trump, Harris

North Carolina is one of a handful of swing states that are expected to determine the outcome of the November 5 election.

The DNC is taking place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Picture: AFP

US presidential elections are not decided by an overall national vote but state-by-state, with each state worth varying amounts of Electoral College votes, and the winning candidate needing to score the majority.

Most states trend solidly Republican or firmly Democrat, and only around seven are considered true toss-ups where the race is really fought – and where the candidates spend most of their campaign.

“North Carolina is an absolute must win for the Trump campaign,” Western Carolina political science Professor Chris Cooper said, according to Fox News.

“For the Harris campaign, it’s critical it’s important. There are paths to victory for them … without North Carolina, for Trump, there’s really not one.”

– With AFP