Vice President Kamala Harris has been taking sharp jabs at former President Donald Trump, targeting his infamous crowd size obsession, his refusal to participate in additional debates, and his privileged background. This occurred during her recent campaign efforts in California and Nevada, where she rallied supporters and raised significant campaign funds. Her remarks, especially pointed during a Las Vegas rally at a venue Trump had used just two weeks prior, stirred excitement among her base while continuing her criticisms of Trump’s strategies and character.
At a high-profile Los Angeles fundraiser, Harris made a playful dig at Trump’s fixation on rally attendance, remarking that her crowds have been “pretty big” as she travels across the country.
The comment was a subtle continuation of her earlier jabs at Trump during the presidential debate, where she noted that people were leaving his rallies early due to his lengthy and often rambling speeches. In Las Vegas, where she spoke before an energized crowd of 7,500 supporters, Harris ramped up her critique of Trump, calling him out for avoiding further debates. “The American people have a right to hear us discuss the issues,” she declared, before confidently adding, “And as you say here in Las Vegas, I’m all in. I’m all in.”
Harris’s trip to the West Coast served dual purposes. The vice president was not only shoring up support in key battleground states like Arizona and Nevada but also raising significant funds in her home state of California. The strategy is aimed at maintaining momentum in the critical Sun Belt region while securing the financial backing necessary to compete with Trump’s formidable war chest. Harris has faced relentless attacks from Trump, particularly over her role in immigration policy and her leadership in the Biden administration. His criticisms, often harsh and personal, were particularly sharp during his recent rallies, where he blamed her for what he called a “border invasion” and fanned fears of lawlessness if she were elected.
In response to Trump’s barrage of insults, including labeling her mentally impaired, Harris remained unfazed, delivering a characteristically calm and dismissive response. During her Los Angeles fundraiser, she addressed Trump’s remarks, saying, “We just see the same old tired show from the same old tired playbook.” Her comment drew cheers and even shouts of “boring!” from the crowd, reinforcing her strategy of portraying Trump as a politician who recycles the same talking points and tactics.
Harris’s campaign tour included a notable stop in Douglas, Arizona, a border town at the heart of America’s immigration debate. This was her first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee alongside President Joe Biden. The visit was clearly designed to reclaim the narrative on immigration, an issue that Trump has consistently used to rally his base. Her presence at the border highlighted her commitment to addressing immigration reform, a key issue that resonates with many voters, particularly in border states.
Trump’s frustration with Harris’s trip to the border was evident in his speeches, as he intensified his attacks against her. However, Harris used the opportunity to contrast their upbringings, calling attention to her middle-class roots, in stark contrast to Trump’s “silver platter” background. Speaking in Las Vegas, she pointed out that despite Trump’s privileged upbringing, his business ventures have faced multiple bankruptcies. “I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from,” she said, emphasizing her connection to ordinary Americans.
Despite the heated rhetoric between the two, Harris remains confident in her campaign’s trajectory. She has acknowledged that the race is incredibly tight, describing it as a “margin-of-error” contest, but remains optimistic about the outcome. “The election is here and let me be clear. We are going to win,” she declared confidently at the Los Angeles fundraiser.
That particular event was a star-studded affair, with celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Keegan-Michael Key, Sterling K. Brown, Demi Lovato, Jessica Alba, and Lily Tomlin in attendance. Halle Bailey and Alanis Morissette also performed, adding to the high-energy atmosphere. Combined with another fundraiser in San Francisco, Harris’s California fundraising tour raised an impressive $55 million for her campaign.
Though Harris was scheduled to continue campaigning in Las Vegas on Monday, her office announced a change of plans due to Hurricane Helene’s devastation. She returned to Washington earlier than expected to attend a briefing at FEMA headquarters regarding the hurricane’s impact.
In the midst of her campaigning, Harris has continued to pick up endorsements from prominent Republicans. Former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake is among the latest to offer his support, citing Harris’s strong character and love for her country. Flake also emphasized his desire for a president who respects the democratic process and does not view political opponents as enemies, a clear contrast to Trump’s approach.
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris’s blend of personal attacks on Trump and confident campaigning shows that she is determined to take the fight to the former president while mobilizing her base for what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
