Trump: I’ll leave the US if I lose the presidency
Donald Trump has attacked his opponent’s family and threatened to leave the country if he loses the US election in a bid to re-energise his supporters and his re-election campaign.
Trump accused Democratic opponent Joe Biden, who is leading in the polls by almost 10 points, and his son Hunter of being part of a “crime family” at political rallies on Friday.
Referring to claims Hunter enlisted his father’s help to advance the interests of a Ukrainian energy company, Trump told supporters: “Lock up the Bidens. Lock up Hillary”.
The FBI is currently investigating whether emails reportedly related to Hunter’s business activities are connected to a possible foreign intelligence operation to spread disinformation.
Trump was campaigning in Florida and Georgia, neighbouring states he won four years ago and must win again to return to the White House. No Republican presidential candidate has lost Georgia since George H Bush in 1992, but Biden has a narrow one-point lead in the state.
Trump also threatened to leave the country if he lost the election.
He told supporters: “Running against the worst candidate in the history of presidential politics puts pressure on me. Could you imagine if I lose? I’m not going to feel so good. Maybe I’ll have to leave the country, I don’t know.”
As well as trailing in the polls, Trump is being outspent by Biden. Trump’s campaign, along with the Republican National Committee and associated groups, raised £191.9 million in September, compared to £296.5 million raised by Biden.
Trump insisted: “I could raise more money. I would be the world’s greatest fund-raiser, but I just don’t want to do it.”