In a dramatic climax to an already historic campaign, President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris stormed through Pennsylvania on Monday, holding rival rallies and painting sharply divergent pictures of America and its future. With polls showing an extremely tight race, both candidates are fighting tooth and nail for every last vote in critical swing states that could tip the balance.
Harris Rallies Massive Crowds, Preaches Unity and Progress
The Democratic nominee began her breakneck final day with an upbeat message of hope and healing. Speaking to a sea of supporters at the Philadelphia Art Museum, Harris declared, “Momentum is on our side,” to deafening cheers. “America is ready for a new way forward, where we see our fellow American not as an enemy but as a neighbor.”
Harris’s closing argument focused on a positive vision for the country’s future, emphasizing themes of unity, equality, and progress. She largely refrained from mentioning her opponent directly, instead making an affirmative case for her own candidacy.
We are ready for a president who understands that the true measure of the strength of the leader is not based on who you beat down. It is based on who you lift up.
Kamala Harris at a Philadelphia rally
The event drew a star-studded lineup to fire up the crowd, including Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and a powerhouse speech by Oprah Winfrey. The beloved talk show host issued a dire warning, suggesting a second Trump term could mean “we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again.”
Trump’s Closing Message: Dark, Divisive, and Defiant
In contrast, Trump ended his campaign on an ominous, combative note. Appearing hoarse at times, the incumbent barnstormed through Raleigh, Pittsburgh, and Grand Rapids, delivering rambling remarks rife with grim warnings and incendiary attacks.
The president painted an apocalyptic picture of an America overrun by criminals and illegal immigrants if Harris wins, vowing to get even tougher on border security. He also unleashed a torrent of personal insults against his critics, especially notable Democratic women:
- Suggesting Michelle Obama deserved to be “hit”
- Calling Nancy Pelosi a “bad, sick woman” who is “crazy as a bedbug”
- Labeling Harris herself a “low IQ individual” in a disjointed rant
Trump continued to stoke fears of voter fraud, preemptively attacking the integrity of the election if he loses. Some allies used even more extreme language, with running mate JD Vance riffing off Biden’s “garbage” gaffe to say “the trash… is Kamala Harris.”
Tensions Running High, Legal Battles Loom
With passions inflamed on both sides, officials are on high alert for potential unrest or even violence at polling sites. In a sign of the fraught atmosphere, one Nevada county has installed panic buttons to summon law enforcement to voting locations in case of emergency.
Meanwhile, armies of lawyers are standing by in swing states, ready to fight over any irregularities or challenges to the results. The Harris campaign says it is fully prepared to repel any attempts by Trump to undermine or contest the outcome.
We have hundreds of lawyers across the country ready to protect election results against any challenge that Trump might bring. Keep in mind that the volume of cases does not equate to a volume of legitimate concerns.
Dana Remus, Harris campaign attorney
As dawn breaks on Election Day, the nation holds its breath, bracing for a turbulent finale to a campaign that has pushed American democracy to the brink. Will there be a clear, convincing result, or will the specter of 2020 rise again? The world will soon know whether Trump’s combative populism or Harris’s coalition of diversity will shape the next four years – and beyond.
