Trump says Biden 'will open the floodgate to radical Islamic terrorism' and if he is elected 'the horrifying attacks in France will come to our cities
Donald Trump stoked fears in Florida Thursday that ‘horrifying terror attacks’ such as the Wednesday beheading of a woman in France will be carried out in cities across the US if Joe Biden is elected into the White House next week.
The president made the claim during a rally in Tampa, Florida, yesterday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Islamist terrorist Brahim Aoussaoui shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ as he beheaded a woman and killed two others inside a Catholic church in Nice.
‘Biden wants to terminate our travel bans and surge refugees from the most dangerous places in the world,’ Trump said of his Democratic rival. ‘He will open the floodgate to radical Islamic terrorism – and you saw three [weeks] ago what happened the beheading in France, and today it happened again.’
Trump then offered his ‘warmest regards’ to ‘friend’ French President Emmanuel Macron, before turning his attention back to Biden and insisting such attacks would be commonplace under the former Vice President’s administration.
‘Under the Biden plan, the horrifying attacks in France will come to our cities and our towns – and I don't want to speak too loudly about this, and I knock on wood,’ Trump said.
Donald Trump stoked fears in Florida Thursday that if Joe Biden is elected into the White House next week then ‘horrifying attacks’ like the beheading of a woman in France yesterday will soon start plaguing the US
‘Biden wants to terminate our travel bans and surge refugees from the most dangerous places in the world,’ Trump said of his Democratic rival. ‘He will open the floodgate to radical Islamic terrorism – and you saw three days ago what happened the beheading in France, and today it happened again'
Brahim Aoussaoui, a 21-year-old Tunisian who arrived in Europe on a migrant boat just last month, attacked worshippers with a 12-inch blade in the Notre Dame basilica in Nice on Wednesday, slitting the throat of an elderly woman near the church's holy water in a beheading attempt
The president then proceeded to rack his knuckles on the podium in front him, declining to offer additional information to substantiate his claims.
‘This is real wood…but you know look what’s happened,’ he said, momentarily reverting his attention back to France.
‘Don’t want to say, long time…,’ Trump said, appearing to lose concentration, before segueing to Iran, telling the crowd the nation will ‘want to make a deal’ if he wins a second term.
‘We want them to be a great country, but they cannot have a nuclear weapon,’ Trump said.
Hours before his rally in Tampa, Trump issued a statement regarding the Nice terror attack on Twitter.
‘Our hearts are with the people of France. America stands with our oldest Ally in this fight,’ Trump tweeted. ‘These Radical Islamic terrorist attacks must stop immediately. No country, France or otherwise can long put up with it!’
Brahim Aoussaoui, a 21-year-old Tunisian who arrived in Europe on a migrant boat just last month, attacked worshippers with a 12-inch blade in the Notre Dame basilica in Nice on Wednesday, slitting the throat of an elderly woman near the church's holy water in a beheading attempt.
He hacked 54-year-old sacristan Vincent Loques to death as he prepared for the first Mass of the day.
Brazilian-born Simone Barreto Silva, 44, also succumbed to her injuries after seeking refuge in a nearby burger bar. The mother-of-three's last words were to paramedics: 'Tell my children that I love them'.
The assailant was shot 14 times by armed police as he screamed 'God is greatest' in Arabic during the attack and 'while under medication' as he was taken to hospital, Nice's Mayor Christian Estrosi said.
The Nice attacks came just weeks after teacher Samuel Paty, 47, was beheaded by 18-year-old Abdullah Anzorov.
Paty had shown cartoons on the Prophet Mohammed in a lesson on the importance of free speech.
Trump then offered his ‘warmest regards’ to ‘friend’ French President Emmanuel Macron (shown right at the scene of the attack), before turnings his attention back to Biden and insisting such attacks would be commonplace under the former Vice President’s administration.
Both Trump and Biden held duelling campaign rallies in Florida on Thursday in the homestretch to Election Day.
There was a stark contrast between each candidate’s events, as MAGA fans flouted masks and packed into stands while Biden’s supporters practiced social distancing by cheering from their cars.
Trump spoke in front of a raucous Tampa crowd who shouted and cheered in close proximity, ignoring the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Democratic nominee Biden also touched down in Florida Thursday stopping first at a drive-in rally at Broward College in Coconut Creek where more than 100 cars filled with fans cheered and practiced social distancing.
His crowd was considerably smaller than Trump's, but all were masked up and kept a conscious distance from one another to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.
President Donald Trump and Joe Biden hosted dueling campaign rallies in Florida on Thursday in the homestretch to Election Day and there was a stark contrast between the two as MAGA fans flouted masks and packed into stands while Biden’s supporters practiced social distancing by cheering from their cars. Trump and First Lady Melania arriving at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Thursday
It's not clear how many people attended the Trump rally but the campaign said over 15,000 tickets had been requested
Biden was forced to wrap his speech up early at a drive-in rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds In Tampa after a brief shower turned into a torrential downpour
Biden later hosted a second socially distanced rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa at 6.30pm. But the event was cut short around an hour in after a brief shower turned in a torrential downpour, prompting the former Vice President's team to whisk him off from the stage.
Biden has held fewer in-person rallies and events and for months opted for virtual gatherings during the initial spike of the virus.
It's not clear how many people attended the Trump rally but the campaign said over 15,000 tickets had been requested.
Several attendees at Trump's rally passed out due the intense heat that reached the 90s and was heightened by crowds where people stood shoulder-to-shoulder. A firetruck was seen blasting water in the crowd to cool people off.
The stakes are high in Florida and the coronavirus pandemic is at the forefront as the state has seen a massive increase in cases since reopening one month ago.
With its 29 electoral votes, the state is a major asset in next Tuesday’s election.
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