(This story contains offensive language in paragraph 3)
By Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican Donald Trump falsely claimed to have knocked Democratic President Joe Biden out of the race for the White House and belittled Vice President Kamala Harris in a video published by the Daily Beast that drew sharp rebuke from the Biden campaign.
Former President Trump was filmed on one of his golf courses seeking applause for his debate against Biden, whose shaky performance a week ago prompted calls from his fellow Democrats for him to step aside.
“He’s dropping out of the race… I took him out,” Trump says in the footage, released Wednesday night. He then belittles Harris, who sources say would likely replace Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee if he dropped out, saying, “She’s so evil, she’s so pathetic, she’s so evil.”
Biden, 81, told his campaign on Wednesday that he was still running. His campaign responded to Trump, 78, in a statement.
“No, Donald. What’s bad is taking away women’s rights; What’s bad is losing an election and encouraging a violent mob to attack the Capitol; What’s bad is assaulting women; What’s bad is not paying your taxes,” said spokeswoman Sarafina. Chitika said.
The Trump campaign stood by its words, with co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita responding on X: “Nothing in this video is incorrect.”
Reuters verified the location of the video as Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The golf cart Trump is seen driving features the number one and a presidential seal; he has been seen driving the same cart before in a video of the route.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis)
