With the US presidential election less than a month away, candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are racing to capture undecided voters. Here are the five biggest developments from the campaign trail this week:
1. Polls Show a Close Race with Harris Slightly Ahead
As of October 11, polling averages from FiveThirtyEight give Vice President Kamala Harris a narrow lead, showing her with 48.5% support compared to Trump’s 46%. Another poll from 270toWin reflects similar results, indicating Harris’s marginal advantage. However, the competition remains tight as both candidates strive to sway key demographics, especially suburban voters. Harris made gains among suburbanites this week, but she faces challenges with Black voters, a demographic that historically supports Democratic candidates.
2. Disinformation Floods Social Media Amid Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, made landfall in Florida this week. As the storm approached, the response became a battleground for disinformation, with Trump accusing the Democratic-led federal government of selectively helping disaster-stricken areas. President Biden, in his White House address, decried these statements as “un-American” and rebuked Trump for spreading “reckless and irresponsible” claims. Harris echoed Biden’s sentiment, calling for unity over political gamesmanship in a Las Vegas campaign stop.
3. Harris Hits the Media Circuit as Trump Pulls Out of ’60 Minutes’
Harris went on a media blitz this week, appearing on multiple platforms, including The Howard Stern Show and 60 Minutes, to connect with diverse audiences. While Trump initially agreed to a segment on 60 Minutes, he later withdrew, citing concerns over potential fact-checking. His campaign called for the FCC to “take away” CBS’s license, drawing criticism from media advocates who argued that such demands threaten free speech. Harris’s high-profile media push contrasts with Trump’s decision, highlighting their differing approaches to mainstream media.
4. Health Becomes a Focal Point in the Election
With health and age in the spotlight, Harris emphasized her physical and mental resilience, a contrast to Trump, who is 78. A New York Times analysis this week questioned Trump’s recent speeches, which it described as “rambling.” Harris’s team released a memo underscoring her “mental resiliency” at 59, further distinguishing her from Trump. Trump’s campaign, however, rebuffed these implications, with spokesperson Steven Cheung calling Trump “in excellent health.”
5. Trump’s Hardline Immigration Agenda Escalates
Trump doubled down on his anti-immigration stance this week, pledging drastic measures if re-elected. In an interview with The Hugh Hewitt Show, he claimed migrants with “bad genes” were flooding the US, a statement sparking backlash for its racial undertones. Trump also promised to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for mass deportations and introduced the controversial idea of capital punishment for migrants who commit serious crimes. Research has repeatedly shown that undocumented immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than US-born citizens, yet Trump’s rhetoric seeks to frame immigration as a central issue in his campaign.
Bonus: Woodward’s New Book Stirs Controversy Over Trump’s Putin Ties
Journalist Bob Woodward’s latest book, War, alleges that Trump maintained frequent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin post-presidency, sending virus-testing equipment to Russia during the COVID-19 crisis. Trump’s team strongly denies the claims, while Woodward’s sources, including General Mark Milley, paint a stark picture of Trump’s leadership style, describing him as “fascist to the core.” As speculation swirls, the book’s impact remains to be seen.
With only 23 days until Election Day, these events highlight an intensifying battle for the White House, as both candidates ramp up their strategies to engage voters amid controversies and a tight polling race.
