ASHEBORO, N.C. — In his first outdoor rally since surviving an assassination attempt last month, former President Donald Trump addressed supporters in North Carolina on Wednesday, speaking from behind bulletproof glass at an event centered on national security. Trump, now the Republican presidential nominee, also took aim at his political rivals, particularly former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, for their comments at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) the night before.

During the rally, held at the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame, Trump criticized his predecessor for what he described as "nasty" remarks made during the DNC, where both Barack and Michelle Obama had sharply criticized Trump’s leadership. Trump’s comments were delivered from a stage fortified with bulletproof glass and surrounded by heightened security measures, including snipers on rooftops and storage containers stacked around the perimeter to block sight lines.

The rally was part of a weeklong series of events intended to counter the DNC, which is currently taking place in Chicago. Trump accused the Democratic leaders, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, of mishandling international conflicts, particularly the withdrawal from Afghanistan and ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Trump's speech frequently circled back to the Democratic convention, where speakers had warned against a second Trump term. He mockingly referenced the personal attacks from the Obamas, questioning whether he should heed his advisors' advice to focus on policy rather than respond in kind. The crowd, in overwhelming support, urged him to get personal, which led Trump to criticize Harris as "the most radical left person ever to run for high political office in our country," dubbing her "Comrade Kamala."

Throughout his speech, Trump emphasized his plans to reverse several Biden administration policies if re-elected, particularly those related to military practices. He vowed to eliminate "critical race theory and transgender insanity" from the armed forces, reinstating a policy from his previous administration that barred transgender individuals from serving. He also pledged to launch the largest peacetime military recruitment drive in U.S. history, a promise that drew loud applause from the audience.

Accompanying Trump at the rally was his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who also took the opportunity to criticize Democratic vice-presidential candidate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Vance accused Walz of misrepresenting his military service and labeled him as “Stolen Valor Tim Walz.”

Trump’s visit to North Carolina marks his second trip to the state in just a week, reflecting its significance as a key battleground in the upcoming election. The rally drew enthusiastic supporters, including Lisa Watts, a retired business owner from Hickory, North Carolina, who expressed confidence in Trump’s chances against Harris. "I don't think her record proves that she is ready to run this country," Watts said, predicting that the initial excitement around Harris would eventually fade.

As Trump’s campaign continues to ramp up its activities, the former president remains focused on winning key states like North Carolina, where he previously secured narrow victories. His supporters remain hopeful, but the path ahead in this closely contested election promises to be anything but straightforward.