Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump is feeling bullish about his prospects with voters of color heading into the election, contrasting sharply with Vice President Kamala Harris’s struggle to maintain her support, especially among men. At a recent town hall event in suburban Pennsylvania, Trump proclaimed that his numbers are soaring with both Black and Hispanic voters, which he attributes to widespread discontent with the Biden-Harris administration’s laissez-faire attitude toward the U.S.-Mexico border.
The former president clearly laid out his case, pointing to the flooding of migrants into the country as a significant obstacle for people of color seeking stable employment. This assertion resonates with many who see their livelihoods threatened by an administration that seems to prioritize open borders over American workers. At a town hall moderated by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Trump highlighted how the surge in migrants directly impacts job opportunities for minorities and is negatively affecting communities across the nation.
“We’re gonna win Pennsylvania," former president Donald Trump says during town hall in suburbs of Philly, his 1st visit to collar counties since RNC, in what has become a concert of sorts after 4 econ centric q's, w/ Trump directing the playlist. (YMCA specifically called for). pic.twitter.com/ATXwXjyB9j
— Haley Bull (@HaleyBullNews) October 15, 2024
In contrast, Harris’s attempts to draw in Black men have not gone as smoothly as she might have hoped. Despite her rally in Erie, which is key for Democrats, her “opportunity agenda,” which includes legalized marijuana and “fully forgivable” startup loans, appears to lack the enthusiasm needed to capture the support of a demographic frustrated by ongoing crime and economic uncertainty. Trump hit the nail on the head by suggesting that Harris’s approach to crime—with an emphasis on gun control while letting in criminals—makes absolutely no sense to the average American.
The Trump campaign is not mincing words in their strategy. They are leveraging Harris’ support for taxpayer-funded sex changes for undocumented immigrants to deepen the divide between Democrats and men of color. The messaging is clear: how can one party claim to care about the welfare of minorities while simultaneously prioritizing dubious policies over public safety and job creation? As polls continue to pirouette around a neck-and-neck race in Pennsylvania, Trump’s team feels optimistic, especially with a surge in Republican registrations in key battleground states.
As Harris ramps up her fundraising effort, banking on hot-button issues like abortion and the gender gap, it seems the more she spends, the less traction she gains. Meanwhile, Trump is laying out concrete plans for voters, including tax cuts, deregulation for homebuilders, and increasing domestic oil and gas production. It’s a classic case of ‘show versus tell,’ and in an election, results matter more than rhetoric.
With Trump gearing up for his campaign events in Atlanta and Harris trying to maintain her ground in Detroit, the electoral landscape is shaping up to be a spectacle. With a pair of health scares interrupting his last town hall, Trump played “Ave Maria,” proving that even in uncertainty, he’s ready to connect with the American people on deeper levels. Both candidates may view Pennsylvania as crucial, but for Trump, the uptick in support among traditionally Democratic voters could signal a seismic shift. The surprising turn of events has political analysts wondering if Harris’s days are numbered, regardless of her fundraising prowess or party loyalty.
