Kamala Harris/ Donald Trump/ vice president/ 2024 election/ campaign trail/ Las Vegas rally fundraising/ GOP endorsements/ Harris 2024 campaign rally/ Harris fundraising events/ Trump vs. Harris rivalry/ Newslooks/ LAS VEGAS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris took jabs at Donald Trump over crowd sizes, his reluctance to debate again, and his privileged background while speaking at a lively rally in Las Vegas and a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles. Her four-day West Coast trip aimed to rally voters in key states and secure campaign donations, while Trump escalated his personal attacks on the vice president.
Harris Trolls Trump Quick Looks:
- Harris mocked Trump for avoiding debates and crowd sizes during a Las Vegas rally.
- She balanced a busy campaign schedule between key swing states and fundraisers in California.
- Harris raised $55 million at LA and San Francisco events, joined by celebrities like Stevie Wonder and Demi Lovato.
- Former Republican Senator Jeff Flake endorsed Harris, adding to a list of GOP critics of Trump.
- Trump responded with harsh criticism, focusing on immigration and border control.
Harris Mocks Trump at Vegas Rally, Draws Big Crowds in LA
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris continued her high-energy campaign trail with a mix of pointed humor and sharp political critiques aimed at her 2024 rival, Donald Trump. During a four-day swing through the West Coast, Harris held rallies in key battleground states like Nevada and Arizona while raising substantial campaign funds from her home base in California.
At a star-studded Los Angeles fundraiser, Harris took playful jabs at Trump’s notorious focus on crowd sizes. Referring to her own events, she quipped, “My crowds are pretty big,” drawing laughter from the audience. Later, at a rally in Las Vegas attended by about 7,500 supporters, she again poked fun at Trump’s refusal to participate in another debate. “The American people have a right to hear us discuss the issues,” Harris said, referencing Trump’s avoidance of further debates after their heated September 10 face-off.
The Nevada rally, held in the same venue where Trump hosted a rally just two weeks earlier, was part of Harris’ strategy to shore up support in swing states critical to her campaign. Nevada, with its six electoral votes, has emerged as a battleground where both she and Trump have repeatedly campaigned.
Sparring Over Immigration
While in Arizona on Friday, Harris tackled one of Trump’s key campaign issues: immigration. Visiting the border town of Douglas, Arizona, Harris sought to address immigration concerns head-on. In contrast, Trump used the event to amplify his rhetoric, accusing Harris of overseeing a “border invasion.” At his own rallies, Trump doubled down on his attacks, often railing against what he called lawlessness under the Democratic ticket.
In response, Harris dismissed Trump’s personal jabs, saying at a Los Angeles fundraiser, “We just see the same old tired show from the same old tired playbook.” Supporters responded by shouting “boring!” at the mention of Trump’s remarks. Harris remained focused on delivering her message about the importance of leadership and contrasting her middle-class roots with Trump’s privileged upbringing, which she referred to as being served on a “silver platter.”
Celebrities and Campaign Cash
The Los Angeles event was more than just a platform for humor and political commentary—it was also a massive fundraiser. The fundraiser featured a host of celebrities, including Stevie Wonder, Keegan-Michael Key, Sterling K. Brown, and Demi Lovato. The event, along with another in San Francisco, raised a combined $55 million for Harris’ campaign, further bolstering her efforts ahead of the November election.
While Harris celebrated the success of her fundraising efforts, she didn’t lose sight of the closeness of the race. During the LA event, she described the election as “margin-of-error” tight but confidently assured her supporters, “We are going to win.”
GOP Support for Harris
As the campaign heats up, Harris has continued to gather endorsements from prominent Republicans who have openly opposed Trump. Former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake became the latest to endorse Harris, citing her “fine character and love of country.” He joins a growing list of GOP figures, including former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, who have come out in support of Harris’ bid for the presidency.
However, not all anti-Trump Republicans have committed their votes to Harris. Maryland Senate candidate Larry Hogan, a former Republican governor and outspoken Trump critic, stated that while Trump won’t receive his vote, Harris has yet to win him over.
Looking Ahead
After a whirlwind few days, Harris planned to continue her campaign efforts in Las Vegas, but those plans changed due to an emergency briefing on Hurricane Helene, which forced her to return to Washington. Harris is expected to resume her campaign efforts in Nevada soon, with plans to return on October 10 for a town hall focused on Hispanic voters—a critical demographic in the state’s closely contested election.
Trump and Harris have both targeted Nevada heavily, understanding the crucial role the state’s electoral votes could play in a tight race. Trump previously hosted a rally in the same Las Vegas venue on September 13, and both candidates have visited multiple times throughout the campaign.
Despite their shared efforts to connect with Nevada voters, the tone of their visits has varied greatly. While Trump promised to eliminate federal taxes on tips for service industry workers during his June stop in Las Vegas, Harris followed suit with her own rally, offering the same pledge. However, such changes would likely require an act of Congress to fully implement.
The vice president’s efforts in Nevada are part of a broader campaign push through the Sun Belt, where she is working to shore up support among key constituencies as the election approaches. With mail-in ballots already going out in the state, Harris and her campaign are focusing on turning out voters in what is expected to be one of the closest presidential elections in recent history.
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