GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Donald Trump’s energy levels became a flashpoint Friday as Republican nominee and Democrat Kamala Harris battled across battleground Michigan with Election Day looming.
Harris told reporters before an afternoon rally that Trump was “unfit,” “unstable” and “a danger to our democracy.” But she appeared to hit a nerve with her Republican rival when she mentioned a report that Trump was “exhausted.”
“Being president of the United States is probably one of the toughest jobs in the world and we really have to ask ourselves: Is he suitable for the job when he’s exhausted on the campaign trail?” suggested Harris, who has been on the campaign trail since Monday and only will return to Washington next week.
Harris’ attack comes as she seeks to raise doubts about Trump’s health in the final days of the campaign. At 78, Trump would be the oldest president of the United States if he wins. But he refused to release his medical records or other health information, breaking decades of tradition in presidential politics.
Trump, who has also campaigned at a breakneck pace, responded later in the day when reporters asked him about Harris’ comments.
“She’s a loser. “She doesn’t go to any events,” Trump said hours before a rally in Detroit as he ticked off his to-do list for the day. He said he was on “Fox & Friends” at 7 a.m., made two more appearances and then made “about 15 phone calls.”
“I have now gone 48 days without a break. And I have this loser who doesn’t have the energy of a rabbit,” Trump said. “Tell me if you’ve seen me rest even a little. Not only am I not tired – I’m not tired. I’m really excited.”
Questions about Trump’s energy levels are emerging as he has pulled out of some interviews with mainstream media outlets, including “60 Minutes” and CNBC.
Still, he appears regularly on warm cable shows and conservative podcasts – often conducting hours-long interviews every day.
On Friday, he spent 40 minutes on set with the hosts of “Fox & Friends” before joining “The Dan Bongino Show,” a video podcast, for an interview with Mark Calaway, the wrestler also known as “The Undertaker.” “ is known, recorded. for his podcast “Six Feet Under.” He also attended an editorial meeting with Fox News and the New York Post before embarking on a multi-stop trip to Michigan.
Still, top Democrats, including Harris campaign adviser David Plouffe, continue to raise questions about Trump’s energy levels.
“This is important,” Plouffe said on CNN. “I worked in the White House. It’s the hardest job in the world and I think it raises real questions. If someone can’t handle the election campaign because they’re so exhausted, it raises the question of whether they’re fit to be president. … You just have to watch him every day.”
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Völker reported from New York. AP writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed.
