A rally-style speech delivered by Donald J. Trump in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, ostensibly focused on the U.S. affordability crisis quickly devolved into a litany of personal attacks, xenophobic remarks and broad political grievances.

What was billed as a serious address on household finances morphed into more than ninety minutes of campaigning — and insult-laden rhetoric — as Trump repeatedly derided immigrants, dismissed concern over high prices, and blamed his political opponents for economic woes.

Rather than offering detailed proposals or concrete policy solutions, the former president described “affordability” as a “hoax,” mocked the word itself, and frequently diverged from economic themes to attack minority lawmakers and immigrants.

He revived previously condemned remarks about countries in Africa and the developing world — remarks he had earlier denied — this time boasting of them.

Supporters at the rally cheered and chanted as Trump delivered off-the-cuff remarks.

The tone and content bore a sharp resemblance to his typical campaign rallies, rather than a structured policy speech: the emphasis was on grievances, broad blame, and chaotic energy rather than on economic detail or proposals to directly ease cost pressures on ordinary Americans.

Observers noted that the shift away from a serious discussion of affordability reflects deeper political strategy: with growing criticism that the economy remains difficult for many households despite official inflation figures, the rally appeared aimed more at energising Trump’s base — using familiar populist and nationalist themes — than at persuading a broader electorate.

As such, it underlined the continuing tension between political spectacle and policy substance in his public messaging.