With just days until the conclusion of one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump traversed swing states on Saturday, making final appeals to voters. Harris urged Americans to “turn the page” on what she described as Trump’s divisive brand of politics, while Trump doubled down on a message aimed at energizing his base.
As of Saturday, over 75 million Americans have already cast their ballots, setting the stage for a high-stakes Election Day on Tuesday. The world could soon see Harris, who would be the first female president, or a dramatic comeback for Trump, who is seeking to reclaim power after a contentious campaign against his 2020 loss to Joe Biden.
The rivals crossed paths in Charlotte, North Carolina, as Harris’s Air Force Two and Trump’s private jet shared the airport tarmac. Both candidates held rallies in the state, with Harris also making stops in Georgia, and Trump adding Virginia to his schedule.
The candidates’ schedules remain packed through Sunday, with Harris set to campaign in Michigan, while Trump holds events in Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Polls show the two running neck and neck in critical swing states, making every visit vital.
In a surprising development, a poll released by the Des Moines Register showed Harris leading Trump by three points in Iowa, a state Trump won in 2016 and 2020.
Harris, making an unexpected detour to New York, appeared on Saturday Night Live, signaling her focus on reaching a broad audience. She has positioned herself as a champion for women, particularly those angered by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. “Donald Trump’s not done. He will ban abortion nationwide,” Harris warned in Atlanta, portraying Trump as “obsessed with revenge” and pursuing “unchecked power.”
Trump, however, painted a starkly different picture, warning voters of economic hardship under a Harris administration. In Salem, Virginia, he opened with a message of “hope” but quickly returned to his warnings of “depression” and job losses under Harris, calling her “low IQ” and “stupid.” Emphasizing a nationalist message, he told supporters, “We’re going to have American people in our communities now.”
Trump has been courting male voters through appearances with martial artists, barbershop visits, and meetings with crypto entrepreneurs. As Harris gains momentum among women voters, analysts predict a significant gender gap in the final results.
Washington, D.C., witnessed thousands of protesters gathering for a Women’s March, underscoring the heated nature of this election. Authorities have increased security, boarding up storefronts amid warnings of potential unrest.
Trump, who has refused to say if he’ll accept a loss, continued to allege election fraud, focusing on swing states like Pennsylvania, echoing claims that led to his supporters’ attack on the Capitol in 2021. He went so far as to claim a potential victory in Virginia and even Democratic-leaning California “if we had an honest election.”
As the candidates race toward Election Day, they’ll hold final rallies Monday night: Trump in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Harris in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
