### Trump Rallies Support in California Desert, Targets Kamala Harris and State's Leadership

In an attempt to rally support in traditionally blue California, former President Donald Trump held a campaign event on Saturday, highlighting the challenges of escalating living costs, crime, and homelessness, and linking these issues to Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders. The event took place under the scorching sun in the California desert, a brief stop between campaign events in two crucial swing states, Nevada and Arizona.

Trump's desert rally attracted thousands of supporters, who faced temperatures climbing to 100 degrees. To help manage the heat, the campaign provided cold water, set up cooling tents, and some attendees resorted to wrapping wet towels around themselves. Despite these efforts, medical staff were seen aiding numerous people suffering from heat-related issues.

Taking the stage just after 5:30 p.m., Trump donned his trademark "Make America Great Again" hat to shield himself from the blazing sun. In an 80-minute speech, he launched attacks on immigrants and political adversaries, particularly targeting Kamala Harris, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Representative Adam Schiff. He accused Harris of exacerbating the state's problems and falsely claimed she had imported prison gangs into the country.

Trump also criticized Newsom's climate policies, pledging to overturn California's mandate for all new vehicles to be powered by electric or renewable energy by 2030. Reviving old battles, he ridiculed the state's efforts to save the endangered delta smelt fish, arguing that California mismanages its water resources.

While Trump lambasted his political opponents, other speakers at the rally underscored California's high cost of living and homelessness. Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida criticized Democratic leadership for turning iconic cities into high-crime and high-tax areas. Local Republican Representative Ken Calvert highlighted the growing difficulties of homeownership in the state.

Absent from the rally was Republican Senate candidate Steve Garvey, despite his residence being nearby. Although Garvey has supported Trump in the past, he has aimed to appeal to a broader base by focusing his campaign on representing all Californians.

California GOP chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson welcomed the crowd to what she dubbed "Trumpchella," celebrating the gains in Republican voter registration since 2020. Despite these increases, she acknowledged that the new Republican members are unlikely to be sufficient to shift the state's overall political landscape.

Patterson emphasized the importance of California in securing a House majority, which she stated is essential for achieving Trump's goals in the next four years should he win the presidency again.