Oct 28, V7N- In the final days of his third presidential campaign, Donald Trump’s rallies have featured his signature style of unscripted storytelling, often veering into tangents that amuse his loyal followers but may alienate undecided voters. Trump’s North Carolina rally, initially billed as focused on the economy, quickly shifted to eclectic topics. He marveled at Elon Musk’s rocket technology, mused about the challenges of spray-painting on limestone, and criticized Democratic rival Kamala Harris for her campaign strategy. He also digressed into stories from his White House days, ranging from anecdotes about foreign leaders to unexpected references, including off-color locker-room tales.
 
Trump’s approach has stirred debate among political analysts who say his tangential style risks losing critical votes in what is anticipated to be a razor-thin election. Polls indicate that the contest between Trump and Harris could come down to just a few thousand votes in battleground states. Harris’s campaign has seized on Trump’s rambling style, labeling him "unhinged" and questioning his fitness for the presidency. Trump defends his approach as part of a technique he calls “the weave,” claiming he always returns to his main points. His supporters say his unscripted nature is appealing and authentic, giving him a connection to voters that scripted speeches might lack.
 
In his rallies, Trump leans heavily into a bleak portrayal of America under Democratic leadership, with exaggerated accounts of violence and despair. His remarks also praise foreign leaders like China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin as “fierce,” contrasting them with the celebrities supporting Harris’s campaign, whom he mocks as insignificant. He frequently punctuates his speeches with intense criticisms of Democrats, positioning them as the “enemy from within.”
 
Some analysts believe Trump’s winding speeches resonate primarily with his base, which remains loyal, while his lack of a disciplined message may limit his appeal to undecided voters. His rallies now include lighter moments, too—like a dance session that went on for nearly 40 minutes and anecdotes about everyday items, like the invention of the paperclip, that meander far from campaign issues.
 
Trump’s aides say he dictates the rally structure, filling time with his reflections and stories, which he believes build a sense of connection. This unfiltered style has become both a strength, appealing to his core supporters, and a possible weakness as he faces one of the closest presidential races in modern history.
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