Ohio - Donald Trump, speaking at a rally in Ohio, emphasized the upcoming presidential election as a watershed moment for the nation, labeling it as the "most important date" in American history. He portrayed his campaign as instrumental in shaping the country's future, while cautioning of potential chaos if he is not re-elected.

Days after securing his position as the presumptive Republican nominee, Trump warned of dire consequences if he does not win, particularly highlighting threats to the U.S. auto industry and alluding to broader implications for the country.

"The date -- remember this, November 5 -- I believe it's going to be the most important date in the history of our country," the 77-year-old told rally-goers in Vandalia, Ohio, repeating well-worn criticisms that his rival, President Joe Biden, is the "worst" president.

Addressing concerns about Chinese manufacturing plans, Trump vowed to prevent imports of cars produced in Mexico if re-elected, suggesting dire outcomes if he fails to win, although the specifics of his warning remained ambiguous.

In response to Trump's remarks, Biden's campaign criticized the former president, branding him as a "loser" and denouncing his rhetoric as inciting political violence. The campaign emphasized the rejection of Trump's extremism and advocated for electoral defeat in November.

Trump's focus on immigration reform and accusations against Biden's policies were central themes of his rally, with particular emphasis on outreach to minority voters who traditionally support the Democratic Party.

Despite Ohio's historical significance as a battleground state, Trump's rally underscored its increasingly Republican-leaning trajectory since his victory in 2016.

The event followed former Vice President Mike Pence's decision not to endorse Trump for re-election, adding another layer of intrigue to the political landscape.