Trump Escalates Personal and Policy Attacks on Harris as Polls Tighten Ahead of November Election
In a speech delivered on Wednesday, August 14, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump launched a series of personal and policy-driven attacks against his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris, aiming to rebound from a challenging period where his lead in opinion polls has nearly vanished.
Concerns have been raised by some of Trump’s allies, donors, and advisers about his focus on Harris’ intellect. They have suggested he shift his attention to criticizing the policies Harris has supported during her tenure, rather than personal jabs.
Addressing his supporters in Asheville, North Carolina, Trump avoided controversial remarks about Harris’ racial identity and provided more detailed policy discussions compared to his recent appearances. Nonetheless, he continued to make personal disparaging comments, including calling her “stupid” and criticizing her laugh, describing it as a sign of “big problems.”
Since Kamala Harris emerged as the Democratic candidate following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from his reelection bid last month, she has significantly impacted the race. Polls frequently show her narrowing the gap with Trump, with some even indicating she is leading as the November 5 election approaches.
Trump’s campaign has been unsettled by Harris’ rising popularity, leading him to respond with personal attacks. He has suggested that Harris, whose heritage includes Indian and Jamaican roots, has only recently embraced her Black identity.
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Racist and sexist remarks about Harris have also come from some Republicans.
Certain Trump allies believe this strategy is detrimental to his campaign.
Bill Bean, a prominent Republican donor, stated that he personally doesn’t care about Harris’ self-identification. Bean, who hosted Trump’s vice presidential choice JD Vance at a fundraiser in Indiana last month, emphasized the need to criticize Harris based on her policy record rather than her identity.
Trump’s speech in North Carolina later focused on attacking Harris’ policies while outlining his plans. He promised to open federal lands for drilling, simplify pipeline permitting, and lower consumer prices if he won against Harris.
He also vowed to halve energy and electricity prices within 12 to 18 months of taking office, though he did not detail how he would achieve this. Trump reiterated his previous commitment to increase oil production, including in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where new permits have been halted by the Biden administration.
Trump accused Harris of backing a fracking ban, arguing that this stance would be detrimental in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state where fracking is prevalent.
Although Harris opposed new fossil fuel infrastructure projects during her 2019 presidential bid and the Biden administration’s attempt to ban fracking on federal lands was unsuccessful, her campaign asserts that she no longer supports such a ban.
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During the speech, Trump also introduced financier and informal economic adviser Scott Bessent, praising his expertise and appearance. Bessent is seen by some Trump allies as a potential Treasury Secretary if Trump wins in November.
Before the Asheville event, Harris campaign communications director Michael Tyler criticized Trump for neglecting the middle class by opposing union protections and supporting corporate tax cuts.
Harris is scheduled to visit North Carolina on Friday to discuss economic policy in Raleigh, where she will present a plan to “lower costs for middle-class families and combat corporate price-gouging,” according to her campaign.
Current averages from Real Clear Politics show Trump with a narrow lead in North Carolina, although Harris is close behind. This contrasts sharply with the situation a month ago when Biden was the candidate, and Republicans seemed to have a commanding lead, turning their focus to traditionally Democratic states like Minnesota and Virginia.
Trump Escalates Personal and Policy Attacks on Harris as Polls Tighten Ahead of November Election
