Harris and Trump trade barbs as the election battle reaches a critical phase.
In a dramatic escalation of campaign rhetoric, Vice President Kamala Harris directly called former President Donald Trump a “fascist” during a CNN Town Hall in Pennsylvania, marking one of the sharpest exchanges yet between the two candidates as the 2024 presidential election enters its final stretch.
The heated exchange came after explosive revelations from Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, who told The New York Times that Trump had expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler’s generals and “meets the definition of a fascist.” When asked point-blank during the town hall whether she believed Trump was a fascist, Harris responded unequivocally: “Yes, I do.”
Harris seized on Kelly’s comments, characterizing them as a “911 call to the American people” about the dangers of a potential second Trump term. “Why would someone who served with him, who is not political, be telling the American people now?” Harris asked during the town hall. Harris said during the town hall. She warned that in a second Trump administration, “people like John Kelly will no longer be there to rein him in.”
Trump vehemently denied Kelly’s allegations, dismissing them as “made up” and launching a counter-offensive on his Truth Social platform. The former president claimed Harris was “losing badly” and therefore “raising her rhetoric,” while his campaign labeled the town hall “another unmitigated disaster.”
The explosive exchange highlights the increasingly personal nature of the campaign with less than two weeks until Election Day. Both candidates are intensifying their efforts in battleground states:
- Harris will campaign alongside former President Barack Obama in Atlanta.
- Trump plans rallies in Nevada and Arizona before heading to Michigan.
- Both campaigns are focusing heavily on undecided voters in key swing states
On policy matters, Harris addressed several critical issues during the town hall:
Immigration Reform: The vice president advocated for a “bipartisan approach” to immigration, emphasizing the need for both border security and a pathway to citizenship. Harris asserted, “We require a president who embodies common sense and practical results.”
Foreign Policy: Harris addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, acknowledging the deaths of “far too many innocent Palestinian civilians,” while maintaining his support for Israel and advocating for a two-state solution.
Domestic Issues: Harris defended her evolution on certain policy positions, including fracking, arguing that her willingness to adapt showed she was “not afraid of good ideas” and valued compromise without “compromising your values.”
The campaign’s final phase is playing out against a backdrop of unprecedented legal challenges and election-related lawsuits. The Democratic National Committee revealed it has prepared extensively for potential post-election litigation, with a memo stating they are “ready for anything Republicans throw at us.”
Recent polling suggests the race remains extremely tight, with approximately 5.6 percent of voters still undecided—potentially enough to swing the election in either direction. However, research from Tufts University indicates that historically, only about one in four undecided voters actually cast ballots on Election Day.
Both campaigns are now launching their final push to reach voters:
- The Harris campaign is targeting Generation Z voters through social media and campus events.
- Trump’s team is focusing on energizing his base while trying to appeal to Republican-leaning independents.
- Both sides are investing heavily in battleground state advertising.
As the campaign enters its final days, the stark differences between the candidates’ visions for America’s future have never been more apparent. The outcome on November 5th will likely hinge on which candidate can better motivate their base while simultaneously appealing to the crucial slice of undecided voters in key swing states.