Trump to hold rally ahead of Alabama special election
President Trump might not be going to Alabama to campaign for Roy Moore, but he will be holding a rally right around the corner.
Trump is expected to hold another post-campaign rally on Friday in Pensacola, Fla., which is just 20 miles from the Alabama state line. The rally is scheduled just days before the Dec. 12 special election in Alabama, where Moore is attempting to capture the empty Senate seat.
The Washington Post reports that Trump is expected to use the rally to attack Democrats during the rally, including Moore’s opponent, Democrat Doug Jones. It’s unknown if Trump will return to supporting Roy Moore during the rally, now that polls show Moore leading Jones by 5% to 6%.
Trump’s Pensacola rally is located in the same radio and television market as Mobile, Ala., which is the state’s third largest city. Local news coverage will give him the opportunity to influence Alabama voters without actually travelling to Alabama to campaign for Moore.
On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump wouldn’t have time to travel and campaign for Moore.
“The President is not planning any trip to Alabama at this time. And, frankly, his schedule doesn’t permit him doing anything between now and Election Day.”
To date, Trump has not officially endorsed Moore, but has appeared to support him many times before the sexual misconduct allegations, and again last week when he told reporters “we don’t need a liberal person in there, a Democrat.”
Trump has privately expressed doubt about Moore’s accusers, comparing them to the sixteen sexual harassment and sexual assault accusations currently levied against him.
“He denies it. He totally denies it. Roy Moore denies it — that’s all I can say.”