Melania Trump slams Biden, Dems in first solo campaign stop

Melania Trump lined up squarely with her husband Tuesday on her first solo trip of 2020 campaign, slamming Joe Biden, Democrats and media as she pushed president's re-election mess in battleground state of Pennsylvania.

first ly defended Donald Trump's record on COVID-19 even as he continues to play down threat of a virus that has killed more than 226,000 Americans.

She sought to shift blame to Democrats, who she said tried to “put ir own ndas ahe of American people's well-being" and focused on a “sham impeachment” inste of coronavirus.

Mrs Trump also deunced what she called Biden's “socialist nda” and criticized media cover of “idle gossip and palace intrigue" in White House.

Biden's "policies and socialist nda will only serve to destroy America and all that has been built in past four years," she said.

“We must keep Donald in White House so he can finish what he's started and our country can continue to flourish.” first ly, who recently recovered from what she has described as a mild case of COVID-19, appeared on a day when Pennsylvania health authorities reported a recording-shattering 2,751 new virus infections statewide.

COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisations in Pennsylvania have more than doubled since beginning of October.

Mrs Trump also struck an empatic tone on virus, calling herself a “worried mor and wife” who kws “re are many people who have lost loved ones or kw people who have been forever impacted by this silent enemy.” But she defended her husband's handling of virus and said his ministration “chooses to keep moving forward during this pandemic, t backward," insisting that schools, restaurants and businesses have learned to operate safely during pandemic.

“We don't close down and hide in fear. We get to work to find real and lasting solutions,” she said.

first ly's event 50 miles (80 kilometres) west of Philelphia drew a couple of hundred supporters who piled into a converted barn typically used for wedding receptions.

Two large doors at rear were opened to allow fresh air into building. overwhelming majority of those in attendance wore masks, but re was little social distancing.

Pennsylvania Democratic Chairwoman Nancy Patton Mills ridiculed Mrs Trump's campaign stop, saying first ly would t have an answer for Pennsylvania's soaring unemployment rate or why her husband's ministration has “stopped trying to combat a virus that's killed 8,700 Pennsylvanians and counting.” Mrs Trump spoke one day after president held three rallies in Pennsylvania, a state that helped deliver him White House in 2016 and one that is key to his reelection bid.

Polls show a tight race in state between Trump and Biden, who also visited state Monday to boost get-out--vote efforts.

President Trump and first ly flew toger on Marine One from White House to Joint Base Andrews before boarding planes for separate campaign trips.

“I'd like to go with her and be with her,” Trump said. “She's going to make a speech in Pennsylvania. That's great. She does very well, very popular.” 

(Im: AP)