Photo: Reuters
MSNBC host Al Sharpton expressed mild sympathy for Donald Trump during an appearance on Morning Joe, questioning why the former president’s campaign staff allowed him to remain on stage for nearly 40 minutes, swaying and dancing instead of answering questions at a Pennsylvania town hall. Trump’s performance at the rally in Oaks, Pennsylvania, has been widely ridiculed, and Sharpton suggested his team did him no favors by letting him continue the impromptu “dance party.”
Discussing Trump’s actions in the context of the scrutiny surrounding his cognitive abilities, Sharpton was baffled that his team didn’t step in. After praising Vice President Kamala Harris for her composure on the campaign trail, Sharpton contrasted her with Trump’s recent behavior. He noted how odd it was to see Trump swaying to the music and occasionally pumping his fists while his supporters waited.
“I think they are fooling themselves if they think the momentum is the other way,” Sharpton said of election forecasters. “If you want to see somebody [Harris] that can answer questions and has a track record and is opposed to somebody who just plays tracks and can’t even dance to the tracks, then that’s your choice.”
Sharpton didn’t hold back in criticizing Trump’s performance, stating, “Donald Trump was embarrassing the other night to anybody that supports him.” He went on to say, “If I was there, I would have walked him off the stage if I was a supporter. How long do you let Grandpa stand there and humiliate the family?” report from MSN.
Sharpton’s remarks come as Trump faces ongoing questions about his physical and cognitive health, which have been amplified by moments like this rally. With the 2024 election approaching, such incidents may impact how voters perceive the former president, especially in comparison to other candidates like Harris, whom Sharpton praised for her ability to engage with voters and respond to questions with a solid track record to back her up.
Ultimately, Sharpton’s comments underscore the growing concern within and outside Trump’s camp about his public appearances and whether his team is adequately managing his image. The moment at the Pennsylvania town hall may have been intended as lighthearted fun, but it has instead become a focal point for criticism of Trump’s fitness for office.
