A speech on Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump launched a series of personal and policy attacks against his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, aiming to recover from a challenging period where his lead in the polls has significantly diminished.
Some of Trump’s allies, donors, and advisers have voiced concerns about his focus on attacking Harris’ intellect and suggested he should concentrate on criticizing the policies she has championed.
During his address in Asheville, North Carolina, Trump avoided delving into issues related to Harris’ racial identity and provided more detailed policy critiques than in recent appearances. However, he continued to hurl personal insults, calling her “stupid” and mocking her laugh as a “cackle,” describing it as indicative of someone with significant problems.
Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race last month, has significantly altered the dynamics of the election. Polls now show her either closing in on Trump or leading in the race for the November 5 election, which has unsettled Trump’s campaign.
In response to this shift, Trump has resorted to insults, including implications about Harris’ racial identity and accusations of her only recently embracing her Black heritage. Some Republicans have leveled racist and sexist attacks against her.
Trump’s approach has drawn criticism from some of his supporters. Bill Bean, a prominent Republican donor, emphasized that the focus should be on Harris’ policy record rather than her identity. Bean noted discussions with Trump’s vice presidential pick, JD Vance, and Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley about the need for a policy-focused attack.
During the latter part of his North Carolina speech, Trump addressed Harris’ policies in detail. He promised to open federal lands for drilling, streamline pipeline permitting, and reduce consumer prices. He also vowed to cut energy and electricity prices by half within 12 to 18 months of taking office, although he did not specify how he would achieve this. He reiterated previous commitments to increase oil production, including in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where the Biden administration has halted new permits.
Trump criticized Harris for supporting a fracking ban, arguing that this stance would be problematic in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state where fracking is prevalent. While Harris had opposed new fossil fuel projects during her 2019 presidential campaign, and the Biden administration failed to impose a federal fracking ban, her campaign asserts that she no longer supports such a ban.
At one point in his speech, Trump invited financier and informal economic adviser Scott Bessent on stage, praising his expertise and appearance. Bessent is considered a leading candidate for treasury secretary if Trump wins in November.
Ahead of Trump’s Asheville event, Harris’ campaign communications director, Michael Tyler, released a memo accusing Trump of neglecting the middle class by opposing union protections and supporting corporate tax cuts.
Harris is scheduled to travel to North Carolina on Friday to deliver a speech in Raleigh, where she will outline her plan to lower costs for middle-class families and address corporate price-gouging.
According to Real Clear Politics, Trump currently holds a narrow lead in North Carolina, though Harris is close behind. This is a significant change from a month ago, when Biden was the Democratic candidate, and Republicans were focusing on traditionally Democratic states like Minnesota and Virginia.
