The former president calls for a political shift in deep-blue California, while Quaid urges voters to “pick a side” in a passionate speech.
In the sweltering heat of Coachella, former President Donald Trump took the stage Saturday to address a massive crowd, railing against California’s liberal leadership and calling for sweeping changes in the deep-blue state. The rally, which drew supporters braving 100-degree temperatures, was punctuated by a fiery speech from Hollywood actor Dennis Quaid, who urged attendees to make a definitive choice in the upcoming election.
Trump, known for his blunt criticisms, took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Congressman Adam Schiff, laying the blame for the state’s struggles at their feet. “The radical left Democrats have destroyed this state, but we are going to save it. We’re going to make it better than ever before,” Trump declared, evoking loud cheers from the crowd.
The former president described California as a “paradise lost,” once a model for the rest of the country, with “the best schools, the safest communities, and a booming middle class.” However, he contended that Harris and other liberal leaders have reversed the state’s fortunes, turning it into a place burdened by high inflation, rising crime, and decaying infrastructure. “It had everything—weather, water—but it was eradicated by the very policies Kamala Harris now wants to force upon America,” Trump added.
In a signature move, Trump didn’t shy away from his usual jabs, mocking California’s high costs and Harris’s policies. “Today, California has the highest inflation, the highest taxes, the highest gas prices, the most homelessness, and the most crime,” he quipped. “Other than that, I think you’re doing quite well.”
As part of his vision to “bring back” California, Trump promised to tackle the issues head-on, delivering a message of restoration to a state he described as on the brink of collapse under current leadership. “Don’t worry about it, we’re gonna bring it back. It’ll happen fast,” he assured the crowd.
Dennis Quaid Ignites the Stage: ‘Pick a Side’
Before Trump’s address, the rally saw a host of speakers, including former Senior Advisor Stephen Miller and Congressmen Wesley Hunt and Matt Gaetz. However, it was Dennis Quaid who stole the show with an impassioned plea to the audience. Quaid, known for his recent portrayal of President Ronald Reagan in the film Reagan, took to the stage in a red MAGA hat and blue t-shirt, energizing the crowd with a call to action.
“I’m here today to tell you that it’s time to pick a side,” Quaid exclaimed, his voice rising with conviction. “Are we gonna be a nation that stands for the Constitution or for TikTok?”
The actor, who has long been vocal about his conservative values, implored the audience to vote for Trump, emphasizing the importance of preserving constitutional values in the face of growing cultural and political divides. “It’s not just about politics—it’s about who we are as a country,” Quaid said.
Trump’s supporters erupted in applause as Quaid’s words resonated with the crowd, many of whom shared his frustration with the current political climate in California.
A Video Highlighting Harris’s Record
Trump also played a video compilation during the rally, splicing together a recent media flub from Kamala Harris with clips highlighting policy missteps from the Biden administration. The montage, which featured Harris stating she would not change any of the administration’s decisions from the last four years, served as a centerpiece for Trump’s argument against the vice president’s leadership, drawing even louder cheers from the crowd.
“Kamala Harris got you into this mess, and only Trump can get you out of it,” the former president proclaimed, underscoring his campaign’s central message.
Looking Ahead to 2024
With the rally in Coachella, Trump’s campaign is clearly setting its sights on expanding its influence, even in states like California, where Republicans face an uphill battle. Quaid’s presence on stage, alongside Trump’s barbed attacks on state leadership, made it clear that the campaign is gearing up for a hard-fought race in 2024, with a focus on winning over disillusioned voters in deep-blue regions.
“We’re gonna bring it back,” Trump assured his supporters. “And we’re gonna do it fast.” As the crowd erupted in applause, the former president left no doubt that, for him and his supporters, the battle for California has only just begun.
