With the 2024 presidential election rapidly approaching, tensions are rising as Republican nominee Donald Trump ramps up his divisive rhetoric, while Democratic nominee Kamala Harris delivers a pointed message to the American people, warning of the dangerous path the former President represents.
During a CNN town hall Thursday, Harris directly appealed to undecided voters, independents, and moderate Republicans, urging them to recognize Trump’s threat to the nation’s core principles and democratic institutions.
In the final weeks before Election Day, Trump has doubled down on inflammatory language, fanning racial and gender hatred by using slurs and stereotypes.
Trump also described Harris with derogatory terms like “lazy” and leveled a racist insult at fallen U.S. soldier Vanessa Guillén, who was of Mexican descent. The Atlantic reported that Trump balked at covering Guillén’s funeral costs, allegedly saying, “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f—ing Mexican!”
Harris, by contrast, has focused on exposing Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and his dangerous admiration for dictators. She pointed to former senior military officials who served under Trump, including retired four-star Marine Gen. John Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving White House chief of staff, who recently labeled Trump a fascist. Kelly also disclosed that Trump had privately expressed admiration for Nazi generals, complaining that his own military leaders weren’t loyal enough.
Harris used Kelly’s explosive remarks to highlight what she described as a dire situation for the country.
“Kelly’s comments are a 911 call to the American people,” Harris said, as she repeatedly warned of the consequences if Trump were to reclaim the presidency. “He’s going to sit there, unstable and unhinged, plotting his revenge, plotting his retribution, creating an enemies list,” she added, highlighting concerns over Trump’s suggestion that he would use the military to target domestic “enemies.”
Anderson Cooper of CNN asked Harris if she thought Trump was a fascist, and Harris unequivocally replied, “Yes, I do. Yes, I do.”
It marked the first time Harris publicly used the term to describe Trump, signaling the high stakes in this election.
Trump, meanwhile, has used his platform to escalate personal attacks, including suggesting without evidence that Harris may be campaigning under the influence. “Does she drink? Is she on drugs?” Trump asked at a recent rally while also making lewd comments about the late golf legend Arnold Palmer. His comments, combined with his previous amplification of misogynistic jokes about Harris, reflect a pattern of inflammatory and vulgar rhetoric that has defined his campaign.
In addition to the attacks on Harris, Trump’s support among Hispanic voters has come under scrutiny following his alleged racist remarks about Guillén. While some in the Hispanic community have voiced backlash over the comments, others, including Guillén’s sister, continue to support Trump, reflecting the political divide among Latino voters.
Harris did not shy away from calling out Trump’s long history of racist and sexist behavior, pointing to data that shows a clear correlation between Trump’s rise and a spike in hate crimes. The FBI has reported an abnormal increase in hate crimes in counties where Trump won by large margins in 2016. At the time, it marked the second-largest uptick in hate crimes since the aftermath of September 11, 2001.
Harris’ strategy in the campaign’s final stretch has focused on drawing sharp contrasts between herself and Trump. She highlighted her endorsements from over 400 members of former Republican administrations, including Liz Cheney, who campaigned alongside her, and former Vice President Dick Cheney. Harris explained that their support stemmed from a shared belief that Trump represents a clear and present danger to the Constitution.
“There is a legitimate fear, based on Donald Trump’s words and actions that he will not obey an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” Harris said.
Harris also addressed key policy issues, including healthcare and border security, but she continually returned to the more significant threat she believes Trump poses. When Cooper pressed on her administration’s handling of immigration and illegal border crossings, Harris acknowledged the challenges but pointed out that long-term solutions would require bipartisan cooperation. She mocked Trump’s failed promises to build a border wall and make Mexico pay for it, quipping, “He didn’t do much of anything.”
The vice president defended her approach to leadership, framing herself as a pragmatic problem-solver willing to embrace good ideas, build consensus, and “fix problems.” She emphasized that her presidency would focus on practical solutions rather than partisan pride.
“I believe in fixing problems. I love fixing problems,” Harris said. “And I pledge to be a president who not only works for all Americans but works on getting stuff done — and that means compromise.”
As the election draws near, Harris’ campaign appears squarely focused on framing Trump as a dangerous figure whose return to power could unravel American democracy. In contrast, Harris presents herself as the candidate of common sense, unity, and solutions for the American people.
“The American people deserve to have a president who is grounded in what is common sense, what is practical, and what is in the best interest of the people, not themselves,” she concluded.