Split screen: Harris slams Trump "chaos," president says he's made no mistakes
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Combination images from Wednesday of President Trump at the White House and former Vice President Harris in San Francisco, California. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Camille Cohen/AFP via Getty Images
Former Vice President Harris accused President Trump of being responsible for the "greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history" during a Wednesday night speech in San Francisco, California.
Why it matters: The 2024 Democratic presidential candidate used her first major speech since Trump took office for a second time to criticize his handling of the economy, immigration and other key policy areas.
- Harris has kept a mostly low profile since losing the election to Trump, but she chose the week that he marks 100 days of his second presidency to take aim at him.
- Speculation is mounting that she could run for governor in California in 2026.
What they're saying: "Some people are describing what's been happening in recent months as absolute chaos," said Harris during her speech at the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, a political non-profit that has a mission to increase the number of Democratic women leaders.
- "I understand why. It's certainly true of those tariffs. Tariffs that — as I predicted — are clearly inviting a recession," the former U.S. senator said.
- Harris said Trump's agenda is "narrow, self-serving vision of America where they punish truth tellers, favor loyalists, cash in on their power, and leave everyone to fend for themselves."
- She paid tribute to U.S. citizens "who are speaking out to say, 'It's not OK to violate court orders' and 'it's not OK to detain and disappear American citizens or anyone without due process.'''
- The former California attorney general also praised judges who "uphold the rule of law in the face of those who would jail them" and colleges "that defy unconstitutional demands."
The other side: Trump defended his trade policies during a Wednesday evening NewsNation town hall marking his first 100 days back in office.
- Trump accused predecessor former President Biden of losing the country money, with "a big chunk" going to China, and said the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports would help redress the balance.
- "We have to have fair trade. We're losing billions and billions of dollars, hundreds of billions of dollars," said Trump at the event that was moderated by Chris Cuomo, Bill O'Reilly and Stephen A. Smith.
- "It's not fair, and it's time for the American people to be properly protected by somebody that knows what he's doing," he added. "I know what I'm doing perfectly."
Asked about his biggest mistake, Trump said: "That's the toughest question I can have, because I don't really believe I've made any mistakes."
- Trump said the U.S. is "in a transition period," but he thinks leaders are reassured. "I think you're going to see tremendous economic victories over the next period of a year," he said.
- "We're going to make billions and billions of dollars, but it takes a little while. That doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen much faster than people understand."
- Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment in the evening.
More from Axios:
- 100 days of Trump's impact on the U.S. dollar
- Trump promises summer tourism rebound as visits to U.S. plunge
- Trump fires Doug Emhoff, other Biden appointees from Holocaust museum board
- Trump on possible toy shortage: "Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30"
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
