WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) – Donald Trump is stepping back into the spotlight. On Wednesday, he will hold his first campaign rally since Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as his likely Democratic challenger.
The rally will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, a crucial state for the upcoming November 5 election.
The Trump campaign is ready for Harris’ candidacy, viewing her as a stand-in for President Joe Biden. They argue that Harris reflects Biden’s unpopular economic and immigration policies.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Harris leading Trump by a narrow margin, 44% to 42%, although other polls have given Trump an edge.
Meanwhile, President Biden, who recently returned to Washington after isolating at home with COVID, will address the nation from the Oval Office tonight.
He will explain his decision to drop out of the race after a poor June debate performance raised doubts about his ability to win or serve another term.
On Tuesday, Trump criticized Harris in a conference call with reporters, blaming her for the record influx of migrants.
Biden had tasked Harris with working with Central American countries to manage migration, though she was not responsible for border security.
“She’s a radical left person, and this country doesn’t want that,” Trump said. “She supports open borders and policies no one wants.”
Harris has not advocated for removing border controls.
Expanding the Map
Harris’ campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, revealed that Democrats will target key swing states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.
According to the source, this broad strategy contrasts with Biden’s previous focus on the Midwest.
“This race is more fluid now,” Dillon noted. “Harris is well-known but not as familiar as Trump or Biden, especially among Democratic voters.”
Harris will speak in Indianapolis on Wednesday at an event hosted by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, an organization founded at Howard University, where she studied. She aims to mobilize Black women voters through the sororities’ extensive network.
At her energetic rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Harris criticized Trump, claiming he would push the country “backward.”
She emphasized her commitment to expanding abortion access, supporting unions, and tackling gun violence, drawing a clear contrast with Trump.
Democrats are set to officially nominate Harris at their convention in Chicago next month after an August 7 virtual vote. North Carolina’s Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, is a potential pick for Harris’ running mate.
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Trump, coming off a successful week where his party rallied behind him following a failed assassination attempt, is now facing a reshuffled political landscape with Biden’s exit spotlighting Harris.
The Harris campaign reported raising $126 million since Sunday, with a significant portion coming from new donors.