Final Days of the Presidential Campaign
The closing arguments have been passionately delivered by both former President Donald J. Trump at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the Ellipse in Washington, with the historical White House serving as her backdrop. As the presidential campaign enters its final stretch, the urgency of the messages being sent out to voters in the seven pivotal swing states—which hold the key to the election—has intensified. These messages are saturating televisions, computers, and smartphones alike.
From Ms. Harris and her supporters, the campaign themes revolve around pressing kitchen-table issues such as the economy, taxation, and the critical topic of legal abortion. They aim to highlight the potential ramifications of a Trump presidency and the implications it may have for everyday Americans.
In stark contrast, Mr. Trump and his allies are focusing on a singular, alarming narrative: the urgency of defeating Ms. Harris is framed as a matter of life and death. One particularly striking advertisement from the super PAC Right for America poses a chilling question: “How will your family survive another four years if you may not be able to survive the night?” This ad, which carries a hefty price tag of $7 million, has been a significant part of their campaign strategy in October.
An in-depth analysis conducted by The New York Times in collaboration with the tracking firm AdImpact has revealed distinct patterns in the advertising landscape as the election looms. The five largest advertising purchases, representing the Trump campaign, the Harris campaign, and the major political action committees supporting each candidate, exhibit clear and varied tactical approaches.
- Trump Campaign: Focuses on fear and urgency.
- Harris Campaign: Centers on economic stability and social issues.
- Super PACs: Utilize large budgets to amplify key messages.
