Trump and Harris: A Tale of Two Campaigns on Election Eve
As the election drew near, Donald J. Trump and Kamala Harris concluded their campaigns on a Monday that highlighted their sharply contrasting approaches. The former president appeared visibly drained as he addressed crowds at arenas that were far from full. He painted a dire picture of a nation standing on the precipice of disaster. In stark contrast, the vice president radiated optimism, rallying her enthusiastic supporters who chanted, “We’re not going back,” as she promised a future of unity and progress.
Throughout the day, both presidential contenders presented their respective visions of America in the final hours before the crucial Election Day. Mr. Trump repeatedly invoked fears surrounding unchecked immigration and the potential dangers posed by Democratic policies as he made stops in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, with plans for a final appearance in Michigan.
Meanwhile, Ms. Harris traversed Pennsylvania—home to 19 crucial electoral votes that could tip the scales in the race—delivering a message of hope. In cities such as Scranton, Allentown, and Pittsburgh, and with a significant late-evening rally scheduled in Philadelphia, she focused on revitalizing the economy and reinforcing federal abortion rights. “America is ready for a fresh start,” she declared passionately to supporters on a college campus in Allentown. “We see our fellow Americans not as enemies, but as neighbors.”
Just 30 miles southwest, Mr. Trump was engaged in a troubling rhetoric, broadly characterizing undocumented immigrants as mentally unstable criminals. He used inflammatory language to describe those accused of crimes, labeling them as “savages” and “animals,” which resonated with some of his base but drew criticism from others.
Both candidates aimed to connect with Latino voters, recognizing the importance of this demographic in the election. The pro-Harris rapper Fat Joe, who is of Puerto Rican descent, urged his fellow Latinos in Allentown to embrace their pride, asking pointedly, “Where’s your pride?” In a bid to bolster his appeal to Hispanic communities, Mr. Trump brought Roberto Clemente Jr.—the son of the legendary Puerto Rican baseball player—to the stage during his rally in Pittsburgh, attempting to distance himself from the backlash he faced after a controversial rally in New York where a comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”
