Former President Donald Trump took aim at teleprompters during a campaign rally in Michigan, where he struggled to deliver a coherent speech after one of the devices malfunctioned. Trump, who had earlier mocked President Joe Biden for using teleprompters, complained to the crowd when wind blew one of the devices out of his view. This incident led to an impromptu rant against the word “folks” and a criticism of Biden’s reliance on teleprompters. The former president expressed frustration with the teleprompters and claimed that Biden would not be able to speak without one. He also criticized the devices for malfunctioning and went on a bizarre tangent denouncing the word “folks.”
During the rally, Trump’s speech derailed multiple times as the teleprompter malfunctioned, causing him to go on tangents and make unintelligible statements. The Biden campaign shared videos of these incidents on X, formerly Twitter, mocking Trump for his struggles with the teleprompter and his disdain for the word “folks.” The campaign highlighted moments where Trump appeared lost and mispronounced words, indicating a lack of coherence in his speech. Trump’s repeated mockery of Biden’s use of teleprompters has been a consistent theme in his rallies, with the former president expressing frustration with the devices and their impact on his delivery.
In previous rallies, Trump has criticized the waving of teleprompters in the wind and claimed they do not work well for Biden, contrasted with his own struggles with teleprompters during windy conditions. The former president’s complaints about the devices and their impact on his speeches have been a recurring theme, with Trump expressing frustration at their malfunctioning and the challenges they pose during public appearances. Despite his criticism of teleprompters, Trump has used them in his own speeches and has faced challenges when they do not function as expected.
The incident in Michigan where Trump’s speech was disrupted due to a teleprompter malfunction highlights the former president’s reliance on these devices for delivering speeches. Trump’s complaints about teleprompters, combined with his attacks on Biden’s use of them, underscore the role of technology in shaping political communication. The episode also raises questions about the effectiveness of teleprompters in public speaking and their impact on the delivery of political messages. Trump’s reaction to the malfunctioning teleprompter, and his subsequent rant against the word “folks,” reflect the unpredictability of live events and the challenges faced by politicians in managing public appearances.
