Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 event in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., July 27, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Intensify Campaign Rhetoric

Harris Labels Trump “Weird” and Positions Herself as Underdog

Vice President Kamala Harris referred to herself as the “underdog” in the presidential race and described her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, as “just plain weird” during her campaign trail on Saturday. Trump responded by calling Harris “low IQ” and “radical.” These exchanges capped a week where Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from his reelection bid amid increasing pressure from fellow Democrats. Polls indicate that Harris’ entry quickly closed the gap between Trump and Biden.

Harris’ Campaign and Strategy

Speaking at a private fundraiser in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Harris criticized the rhetoric from Trump and his running mate, U.S. Senator JD Vance, as “just plain weird.” This characterization is part of a new strategy by the Democrats, with the Harris campaign previously referring to Trump as “old and quite weird” following his Fox News appearance on Thursday. Harris contrasted her prosecutorial background with Trump’s record as a convicted felon, emphasizing that her campaign focuses on the future, whereas Trump seeks to return the country to a “dark past.”

Trump’s Campaign Efforts

Trump addressed a cryptocurrency conference in Nashville, aligning his stance with the industry’s growth and promising to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world.” This position marks a significant shift from his 2021 view when he called bitcoin a “scam.” Trump warned that other countries, like China, would embrace crypto if the U.S. did not, and he promised favorable regulations if elected. Trump is also scheduled to rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota, at an 8,000-seat hockey arena, adhering to the Secret Service’s recommendation to avoid large outdoor events following an assassination attempt two weeks ago.

Fundraising and Poll Numbers

Harris’ campaign has been revitalized, raising more than $100 million within 36 hours of Biden’s exit. Saturday’s fundraiser brought in over $1.4 million from 800 attendees. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, highlighted that over 200,000 people joined a Zoom call to support Harris, raising more than $11 million.

Trump and Vance have criticized Harris, attributing high inflation and a surge of migrants at the southern border to the Biden administration’s policies. Trump asserted that Harris was “even worse” than Biden.

Controversial Remarks and Campaign Implications

Trump’s recent comments to Christians, suggesting they would not need to vote again after four years if he is elected, have been seized upon by Democrats as evidence of his continued threat to democracy. These remarks follow his previous efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Before his speech at the crypto conference, Trump was set to host a high-priced fundraiser in Nashville, with tickets ranging from $60,000 to over $800,000, allowing contributions via digital currency.