When Kamala Harris delivered a powerful speech to the Democrats at the convention this week, Donald Trump’s response was as intense as ever. His whirlwind social media activity during her address wasn’t just a sign of his growing concern about her momentum but also marked the start of a new, more aggressive phase in his campaign. Trump is hitting the campaign trail harder than ever, crisscrossing key battleground states and ramping up his outreach to younger voters and other crucial demographics.
While Harris was rallying the Democratic troops in Chicago, Trump was everywhere, cramming five states into five days. He was conducting interviews left and right, sticking to his talking points as he tried to draw sharp contrasts between his policies and hers on key issues like the economy, crime, and immigration. His campaign is rolling out a packed schedule for the upcoming week and plans to keep up this frenetic pace to regain traction in a race that has shifted dramatically since Harris took the reins of the Democratic Party.
During Harris’s speech, Trump took to social media with a flurry of rebuttals. “Kamala’s biography won’t lower prices at the grocery store, or at the pump!” he wrote. “She said, ‘chart a new way forward,’ but she’s had three and a half years and has done nothing but HARM!” Trump’s criticism was relentless, showing just how worried he is about Harris’s rising profile.
Trump's team has promised a more active campaign trail following his previously modest pace while President Biden was still in the race. Starting Monday, Trump is set to address a National Guard conference in Detroit. Then, he’s headed to Michigan and Wisconsin for events, wrapping up the week with a rally in Pennsylvania. The shift in strategy includes more small-scale events, which, while less costly, are designed to keep Trump focused on specific issues. This is a departure from his usual large, boisterous rallies, which his advisers believe aren’t as effective in swaying undecided and independent voters.
In a strategic pivot, Trump’s campaign has expanded its staff. Corey Lewandowski, who managed Trump’s 2016 campaign, is back to provide another layer of strategy and draw crowds with his well-known name. Also joining the team is Taylor Budowich, who previously ran the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. Budowich is noted for his strong rapport with Trump and is expected to help keep the campaign on message.
Trump recently got a boost when independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropped out of the race and endorsed him. Kennedy joined Trump on stage at a rally in Phoenix, and the event was quite a spectacle with Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” blaring and pyrotechnics lighting up the stage. Trump praised Kennedy’s campaign and called on his supporters to join the Trump coalition. “I think he’s going to have a huge influence on this campaign. Actually, much bigger than you’ll see in the polls,” Trump told the crowd, adding that he wanted Kennedy’s supporters to help build a strong coalition.
Earlier in the day, Trump was in Las Vegas, where he unveiled a proposal to eliminate federal income tax on tips—a move designed to appeal to casino workers in Nevada. Harris, who also adopted the idea, drew Trump’s ire. “She’s a copycat,” Trump said with a hint of frustration.
Meanwhile, Harris’s recent convention in Chicago was a display of traditional political fervor, complete with flag-waving, “U.S.A.!” chants, and strong pledges to tackle border issues and strengthen the military. The Democratic National Convention was clearly aimed at the political mainstream, projecting a strong, patriotic image.
Trump's campaign is now focusing on engaging with voters in less conventional ways. This includes recent interviews on X with the platform’s owner Elon Musk and a podcast appearance with comedian Theo Von. These efforts are aimed at reaching undecided voters, particularly younger men who are more likely to seek news and entertainment from alternative sources. Additionally, a $20 million initiative with influencers has been launched to register voters and encourage them to head to the polls.
The campaign is also targeting Black audiences through podcasts like “Earn Your Leisure” and “Market Mondays,” hoping to tap into these communities with tailored messaging. In the coming weeks, Trump is expected to engage in more intimate meet-and-greet events, focusing on areas where Harris is seen as vulnerable, like the border and the economy.
On Thursday, Trump stood near the border wall in Cochise County, Arizona, criticizing the Biden-Harris administration for wasting taxpayer money on border wall materials. He brought in families of victims killed by undocumented migrants to share their harrowing stories, aiming to spotlight the dangers he believes Harris would exacerbate if elected. A super PAC supporting Trump has also begun airing ads on immigration in key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Despite the energy and momentum surrounding Harris, Trump’s team remains hopeful that it will eventually level off. Polls suggest a tight race, with Harris currently leading Trump by just 3.7 percentage points in the Fivethirtyeight.com average of public polls. However, her lead is narrow, often within the margin of error, and she trails in several battleground state polls.
Trump’s campaign strategy includes painting Harris as too liberal and a lightweight politically, noting her lack of detailed policy proposals. “This is being decided right now on vibes,” said Vivek Ramaswamy, a top Trump surrogate. “I think by the time we get to November, many voters are going to demand some level of substance we haven’t gotten yet.”
Recent weeks have seen Trump’s campaign facing setbacks, with the former president publicly expressing frustration over Harris’s swift rise. Trump has questioned her racial identity and intelligence, though his advisers have tried to steer him away from such outbursts. At a recent event in North Carolina, Trump reflected on past criticisms from Barack and Michelle Obama and even polled the audience on whether he should resort to personal attacks. The crowd’s overwhelming response was in favor of such tactics. “My advisers are fired,” Trump joked. “I would rather keep it on policy. Sometimes it’s hard when you’re attacked on all ends.”
As the race heats up, both candidates are preparing for an intense battle ahead, with each side trying to navigate the shifting political landscape and appeal to a broad range of voters.
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