Donald Trump is outlining an extreme vision for a new White House term, one that could drastically alter America and send shockwaves around the globe. Vice President Kamala Harris has only three weeks to counter this, as she works to regain momentum in what has become a highly competitive race leading up to Election Day.
Trump, the Republican nominee, has intensified the most inflammatory anti-immigrant rhetoric in recent U.S. political history. He has made false claims, such as asserting that Haitian migrants living legally in the U.S. were eating pets in Ohio, and warned that outsiders with “bad genes” had “invaded” the country. During a rally in Arizona on Sunday, Trump baselessly suggested that if Harris won, “the entire country will be turned into a migrant camp.” In Colorado, just two days earlier, he vowed to initiate the “largest deportation operation in the history of the United States,” stating, “We will close the border. We will stop the invasion of illegals into our country. We will defend our territory. We will not be conquered.”
Trump escalated his rhetoric further over the weekend, threatening to use the military against what he called “the enemy from within.” In an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” he hinted at turning the military on his political opponents. The former president, who incited violence after losing the 2020 election, had also said at a rally on Saturday that a heckler, who was exercising her right to free speech, should “get the hell knocked out of” her.
In another display of how Trump might use presidential power for personal and political advantage, he threatened to withhold federal disaster aid from California, a state run by Democrats. Trump also falsely accused Harris and President Joe Biden of denying aid to Republican districts affected by hurricanes. He even suggested that CBS should lose its broadcasting license because he disagreed with how the network handled Harris’ interview on “60 Minutes,” an interview he had declined to participate in. Trump’s allies raised concerns about how the potential new administration might treat big business, threatening to cancel Deloitte’s federal contracts after an employee allegedly leaked private messages from Senator JD Vance criticizing Trump.
Details have also emerged regarding Trump’s ties to foreign autocrats. The Kremlin recently confirmed that Trump had sent COVID-19 tests to Russia’s authoritarian leader, Vladimir Putin, during the pandemic—a pandemic Trump had frequently downplayed.
Although Trump has a history of making grand promises that do not always materialize, his past actions suggest his threats should not be dismissed. Furthermore, a recent Supreme Court ruling, which grants broad immunity to presidents, highlights the minimal constraints on executive power, raising concerns about Trump’s potential for authoritarian rule.
Trump’s increasingly extreme rhetoric has amplified the pressure on Kamala Harris. Prominent Democratic figures, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, are urging voters in critical swing states to support Harris, particularly among Black and Latino communities. These voters will be essential in preventing Trump’s return to power.
Harris, during a rally in North Carolina on Sunday, sharpened her criticisms of Trump, accusing him of refusing to release his medical records and evading a second debate with her. She also noted his decision to decline an interview with “60 Minutes.” “He’s not being transparent with the voters,” Harris said. “It makes you wonder, why does his staff want him to hide away? One must question, are they afraid that people will see that he is too weak and unstable?”
Democratic Fears Rise
Many Democrats are becoming increasingly concerned that the initial excitement surrounding Harris’ campaign has not translated into a decisive lead over Trump. Despite her strong entry into the race and a successful debate performance, national polls show no clear leader.
The most recent polling averages suggest a tight race, and Democrats fear that, like Hillary Clinton in 2016, Harris could win the popular vote but lose the Electoral College. The fact that the contest remains so close despite Trump’s extreme positions suggests that his message is resonating with a significant portion of the electorate. Republicans have blamed the Harris-Biden administration for rising inflation, and Trump has frequently pointed to the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as evidence of the current administration’s perceived weakness on the global stage. Additionally, Democrats’ failure to address immigration early in Biden’s term has left them vulnerable to Trump’s aggressive stance on the issue.
The close contest also reveals that, despite Trump’s unapologetic extremism, Democrats have once again struggled to produce a candidate or message that can decisively reassure voters. While many liberals and moderates are alarmed by Trump’s authoritarian vision, he continues to lead on what voters say is the top issue: the economy. A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll showed that 59% of respondents believe the economy is worsening, even though inflation has eased, interest rates are declining, and the job market remains strong.
Harris, as the incumbent vice president, faces an uphill battle. Her failure to distinguish herself from Biden’s policies in a recent interview with “The View” could prove costly, as Trump is likely to exploit this weakness all the way to Election Day. Harris has outlined policies to address housing affordability, healthcare costs, and immigration reform, but these initiatives have often been overshadowed by Trump’s dramatic promises to deport migrants, impose tariffs on trade rivals, and restore order to a chaotic world.
Still, there are signs of hope for Democrats. Trump’s polling numbers rarely exceed 48%, suggesting that his support remains capped, while Harris may still have room to gain. In a recent NBC News poll, 10% of voters indicated they might change their minds, and a small but potentially decisive portion of the electorate remains uncommitted. In key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia, even minor shifts in support could make a significant difference.
What Harris Must Do
Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik believes the election remains a 50-50 contest and that Harris has stalled while Trump has gained ground. He suggested the race could come down to which candidate can effectively position themselves as a change agent.
In a memo released Sunday, Trump’s campaign claimed that Harris had already lost the argument on change. “She can’t convince the voters that she is ‘the change agent’ in the race, that she will be better on the economy, inflation, immigration, crime, or improving people’s financial situation,” the memo stated. “The bottom line is that voters say President Trump will do a better job.”
Sosnik argued that Harris must rise to the pressure and scrutiny, giving voters a clear reason to support her. “They don’t feel like she has given them enough reason to vote for her,” he said.
Harris faces a complicated path, made more difficult by the lack of direct engagement with Trump, who has avoided most mainstream media and refuses to participate in a second debate. Trump’s rallies, once a staple of cable news coverage, now receive limited attention outside conservative media, meaning many voters may not fully grasp the extent of his increasingly extreme positions.
Obama, appearing at a rally for Harris in Pennsylvania last week, expressed disbelief at Trump’s continued popularity. “There is absolutely no evidence that this man thinks about anyone but himself,” Obama said. “Donald Trump sees power as nothing more than a means to an end.”
Nevertheless, Trump, despite his impeachments, criminal conviction, and attempts to undermine democracy, remains within striking distance of reclaiming the presidency—with a more radical agenda than ever before.