During a recent high-profile fundraiser, Vice President Kamala Harris took a direct shot at Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, proudly noting the substantial crowds she draws while campaigning nationwide, as reported by the Associated Press. Her remarks aimed to solidify her backing in critical battleground states like Arizona and Nevada, where she held a rally in the same venue Trump had used just two weeks earlier.
Trump has been vocal in his criticisms of Harris, particularly regarding immigration policies. Acknowledging the narrow margins in the upcoming election, she referred to the race as a “margin-of-error” contest but asserted confidently, “The election is here, and let me be clear. We are going to win.”
As she prepared to speak in Nevada, Harris remarked, “My crowds are pretty big,” reiterating her earlier comments made during the presidential debate where she suggested Trump’s rallies were losing attendees due to his lengthy speeches. This tactic has continued to feature prominently in her campaign messaging.
Harris’s four-day tour along the West Coast combined fundraising efforts in California with key stops in battleground states, underscoring the tight nature of the presidential race. Her visit to the US-Mexico border in Douglas, Arizona—her first since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee—was likely aimed at addressing immigration concerns, an issue Trump has used to criticize her, accusing her of allowing a border “invasion.”
Harris dismissed Trump’s claims, stating, “We just see the same old tired show from the same old tired playbook,” as some audience members echoed her sentiment with shouts of “boring!”
The fundraiser in Los Angeles featured performances from artists like Halle Bailey and Alanis Morissette, drawing a star-studded crowd that included Stevie Wonder, Keegan-Michael Key, Sterling K. Brown, Demi Lovato, and Jessica Alba. Moreover, Harris has received backing from certain Republicans, such as former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, who praised her for her “fine character and love of country.” Flake stands alongside other anti-Trump Republicans like Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz in endorsing her candidacy. However, Maryland Senate candidate Larry Hogan has stated that Harris has not yet earned his vote, and he remains opposed to Trump as well.
In her Nevada rally, Harris reiterated her commitment to abolishing federal taxes on tips for service industry workers, a promise similar to one made by Trump. However, she went further by pledging to address the issue of “sub-minimum wage,” where employers pay less than the standard wage and depend on tips to meet compensation requirements. Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of Nevada’s Culinary Union, remarked, “That shows us she’s serious.”
Harris is scheduled to return to Nevada on October 10 for a town hall meeting with Hispanic voters, highlighting the significance of the state’s six electoral votes in an election predicted to be exceptionally close. Both she and Trump have made frequent trips to Nevada, emphasizing its critical role in the race for the presidency.
