On 20 October 2024, Kamala Harris celebrated her 60th birthday by engaging with voters in Georgia, where she aimed to rally support before the crucial 5 November election. Meanwhile, Donald Trump was flipping fries at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, seeking to connect with working-class voters amid escalating tensions on the campaign trail.
Ms Harris kicked off her special day by visiting the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, around 30 miles east of Atlanta. She emphasized unity over division, saying, “At this point across our nation, what we do see are some trying to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear, and cause chaos.” This message resonated particularly with the churchgoers, reminding them of her roots in the Black church community.
While Harris delivered her heartfelt addresses, Trump was busy serving up fries in Pennsylvania, sporting a black-and-yellow apron that he paired with his signature red tie. He joked about his time in fast food, stating, “I love salt!”—adding a light-hearted touch to an otherwise serious campaign environment. This visit was seen as a direct jab at Harris, who has often mentioned her own experience working at McDonald’s.
Star Power and Grassroots Efforts
Joining Harris at her birthday celebration was music legend Stevie Wonder, who performed a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ and encouraged attendees to “think about more than yourself when you vote.” The vice president also promoted the ‘Souls to the Polls’ initiative, combining faith and music to galvanise voters ahead of the election.
A Clash of Campaign Styles
As President Biden’s vice president, Harris’s approach has contrasted sharply with Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric. Recently, Trump referred to Harris in unflattering terms and has drawn criticism for his harsh language during rallies. In a recent Atlanta speech, Ms Harris fired back, declaring, “Donald Trump should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States. He has not earned the right.”
Polling shows both candidates neck-and-neck, with states like Georgia and Pennsylvania expected to play crucial roles in determining the outcome. With just over two weeks to go, both candidates are ramping up their campaign efforts and deploying surrogates to help sway undecided voters.
Trump is leveraging the campaign’s excitement with personal appearances and attention-grabbing stunts, like his McDonald’s visit. Meanwhile, Ms Harris is employing the power of music and community engagement to reach young and minority voters. As the campaign heats up, every vote will count in this tightly contested race.