Displaying items by tag: Kamala Harris

As 5 November draws near, the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is extremely close, with Harris at 48% and Trump at 47% support according to a recent poll. Harris garners stronger personal support, especially on issues like reproductive rights, uniting the country, and protecting democracy, while Trump is seen as stronger on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Trump’s supporters focus on economic issues, particularly inflation, whereas Harris’ supporters prioritise protecting democracy. Both candidates have a gender divide in support, with independent women favouring Harris and independent men leaning toward Trump. The poll also highlights a nation divided on political violence: 77% believe current political discourse encourages violence, with more fearing escalation if Trump wins (57%) than if Harris does (42%). Emotions run high, with nearly equal numbers expressing fear (47% for Trump, 45% for Harris) and excitement (41% for Trump, 40% for Harris) depending on the winner. Both candidates inspire complex reactions, reflecting shifts from past elections and a broader concern about the country’s direction. For a discussion about what difference the result of the election would make, see

Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have spoken briefly to Donald Trump, following a second apparent assassination attempt against him on 15 September. Harris expressed relief over Trump’s safety, while Biden focussed on safety and protection measures. Speaking later, Harris reiterated her stance against political violence, emphasising the importance of democracy and peaceful discourse. While Trump was playing on a Florida golf course, Secret Service agents spotted a man armed with an AK-style rifle near the perimeter. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, had reportedly lain in wait for twelve hours. He fled from the scene, but was later arrested after a car chase. Trump’s immediate reaction was to blame Biden and Harris for inciting violence against him through their rhetoric.

Kamala Harris faced Donald Trump in a high-stakes debate ahead of the 2024 election. Harris, making her debate debut against Trump, focused on attacking his leadership, highlighting his shifting positions on abortion and crowd sizes. Trump attempted to play up his immigration policies but struggled under Harris’s sharp retorts. Harris emphasised her vision for change, positioning herself as the candidate to move beyond Trump’s ‘tired playbook’ of grievances. Despite Trump’s attempts to paint her as a continuation of Joe Biden, she stayed on message, especially on economic and climate issues. The debate moderators fact-checked Trump, leading to complaints from him and his supporters about unfair treatment. Harris ended the debate on a high note, made even better when pop star Taylor Swift publicly endorsed her. Though polls show mixed views on who represents ‘change’, Harris’s performance has solidified her status as a strong contender in the extremely tight race for the White House.

Former teacher and National Guard member Tim Walz, who recently went viral for his calling Donald Trump ‘weird’, has now been adopted by Kamala Harris as her running mate for the presidential election. Walz, governor of Minnesota, is noted for his appeal to rural white voters and his progressive policies, such as free school meals and expanded paid leave. He also enacted the ‘Taylor Swift bill’ to regulate ticket sales. Despite Minnesota's Democratic leaning, its proximity to battleground states like Wisconsin and Michigan adds strategic value. Walz, 60, has a background in education and military service, connecting well with ordinary Americans. His political career began in 2006, winning a Republican-leaning congressional district and later the governorship in 2018. He is well-known for his record on LGBT and abortion rights, banning conversion therapy, and supporting gender-affirming healthcare.

During a convention for black journalists, Donald Trump questioned Kamala Harris' racial identity, falsely claiming that she has only recently emphasised her black heritage. Trump remarked, ‘I didn't know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black’, and questioned whether she was Indian or black. Harris, the first black and Asian-American vice-president, dismissed Trump's remarks as divisive and disrespectful, emphasising that America's diversity is a strength. Her parents are Indian and Jamaican, and she attended Howard University and joined the Congressional Black Caucus in 2017. One critic asked, ‘Who appointed Donald Trump the arbiter of Blackness?’ He has a history of racially charged attacks, including false claims about Barack Obama's birthplace and questioning Nikki Haley's eligibility for presidency. Harris has faced a series of attacks since becoming the Democratic nominee: some Republicans have labelled her a ‘DEI vice-president’ - a reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes.