Kamala Harris Attacks Trump at Campaign Launch as He Fires Back
Vice-President Kamala Harris has launched a robust offensive against Donald Trump in her first rally for the White House campaign, framing the upcoming November election as a stark choice between a former prosecutor and a convicted felon.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of around 3,000 in Wisconsin, a key battleground state, Harris compared her Republican rival to the fraudsters she prosecuted during her tenure as California’s attorney general.
Meanwhile, Trump criticized her record on immigration and posted on social media, calling her “Lyin’ Kamala Harris” and accusing her of ruining everything she touches.
Harris’s rally follows her recent success in securing the support of a majority of Democratic delegates, positioning her to become the party’s nominee. This comes after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, endorsing Harris amid growing pressure from top Democrats and donors following a poor debate performance against Trump in June.
In just 36 hours after Biden’s exit, Harris’s campaign raised over $100 million, further boosting her momentum. A new national poll by Reuters and Ipsos shows her leading Trump by two points, with 44% to his 42%.
At the rally in Milwaukee, Harris received sustained applause as she highlighted her prosecutorial experience. “I took on perpetrators of all kinds,” she said, listing predators, fraudsters, and cheaters. “So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type,” she declared, promising to proudly compare her record to his throughout the campaign.
The crowd responded with chants of “Kamala! Kamala!” and echoed a familiar refrain from Trump’s past rallies, chanting “lock him up” when his name was mentioned.
Trump, on his social media platform Truth Social, pointed out a poll that labeled Harris as the most unpopular vice-president in US history and shared a post noting her left-wing ranking by GovTrack.
Harris’s speech outlined liberal priorities including gun control, abortion access, child poverty, union rights, and affordable healthcare. “Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion, and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear, and hate?” she asked the crowd.
Despite her strong start, it’s uncertain whether Harris can maintain her momentum. Pollster Tony Fabrizio warned in a memo that her “honeymoon” period with voters might end soon, with focus shifting back to her role as Biden’s vice-president.
The Trump campaign continues to criticize Harris for her handling of immigration and the administration’s record on crime and inflation. They also accused her of bailing out violent offenders, insulting Israel, and misleading the public about Biden’s health.
Trump expressed confidence about facing Harris in a debate, stating, “She’s a radical left person, but this country doesn’t want a radical left person to destroy it. I think she should be easier than Biden, because he was slightly more mainstream, but not much.”
Most Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have endorsed Harris. Hollywood stars like George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, and Jamie Lee Curtis have also shown their support, potentially bringing in significant donations.
Harris’s campaign is still considering potential running mates. Meanwhile, President Biden is set to address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday to explain his decision to withdraw. He returned to the White House on Tuesday after recovering from Covid.
In a related development, Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced articles of impeachment against Harris over her handling of immigration at the border, though the resolution is not expected to advance.
