Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Harris and Trump in final effort to win White House

Harris is ahead by just one point, 48 per cent to 47 per cent – a significantly tighter margin than she enjoyed several weeks ago

Harris and Trump in final effort to win White House
Kamala Harris

THE Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, has vowed to “represent a new generation of leadership” as the US elections head into the final days of what opinion polls suggest will be one of the closest races in history.

Harris is ahead by just one point, 48 per cent to 47 per cent – a significantly tighter margin than she enjoyed several weeks ago, the Guardian said. In her battle to lure in undecided voters, she has sought to distance herself not only from Republican rival Donald Trump, but also current president Joe Biden.


“My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency. Like every new president that comes in to office, I will bring my life experiences, my professional experiences, and fresh and new ideas. I represent a new generation of leadership,” Harris said in an interview with Fox News.

“In the last decade, we have been burdened with the kind of rhetoric coming from Donald Trump that has been designed and implemented to divide our country and have Americans literally point fingers at each other; rhetoric and an approach to leadership that suggests the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of what we all know. The strength of leadership is based on who you lift up.

“The strength of an American president which is one who understands that the vast majority of us have more in common than what separates us. That is turning the page on rhetoric that people are frankly exhausted of,” she added.

The winner on November 5 will govern a nation of more than 330 million people. However, the contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters – a tiny fraction of the populace – in a handful of states.

Donald Trump

Polls show either Harris or Trump holds substantial or somewhat comfortable leads in 43 of the states.

Barring an upset in one of those states, that leaves the outcome to the remaining seven states – a northern tier of three states (Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania), two states in the southeast (North Carolina and Georgia) and two in the southwest (Arizona and Nevada).

Among those seven battlegrounds, Pennsylvania, the most populous, stands out as the most likely state to determine whether Harris or Trump is the next president. The candidates’ strategies reflect this reality, with the vast majority of their ad spending and campaign events directed at those seven states that swing between political parties.

On Monday (21), Trump hit the campaign trail in hurricane-hit North Carolina, having heavily criticised the government’s disaster response after at least 124 people were killed there by storm Helene.

Emergency services were still distributing food and water in the worst-affected parts of the state almost a month after Helene slammed into the southeastern United States, leaving more than 240 dead in its wake.

Trump was scheduled to hold a campaign rally in the city of Greenville, while Harris was set to address supporters in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Last Sunday (20), the White House said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had “approved more than $300 million [£23.1m] in assistance across the state, including $118m [£90.0m] in individual assistance to more than 87,600 households.”

The immediate aftermath of the storm left many without access to power, drinking water or shelter, leading Trump to sharply criticise Biden and Harris.

The president and vice-president have rejected the allegations, accusing Trump of spreading misinformation about the response for political gain.

“There’s been a reckless, irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies,” Biden said, speaking after Helene and before a second major storm, Milton, slammed into Florida.

Harris and Trump are virtually tied in the battleground states, according to a New York Times polling average, and North Carolina is no different – Harris stood at 49 per cent in the state, to Trump’s 48 per cent.

Early voting is already underway in several states across the country, including in North Carolina, where more than a million people had cast their ballots as of last Sun[1]day, according to official data.

Harris appeared to acknowledge the closeness of the race, saying she would leave “nothing on the field” in her push to win the election.

“This is an election for president of the United States. It’s not supposed to be easy. It is not supposed to be a cakewalk for anyone,” she said.

The 60-yearold – who celebrated her birthday last Sunday – made campaign stops at black churches in Georgia.

Throughout the day, Harris criticised Trump’s increasingly disparaging, dark language on the trail, saying in an interview on the MSNBC news channel that Americans “deserve so much better.”

“Donald Trump should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States. He has not earned the right,” Harris said.

Recently Trump has likened undocumented migrants to animals, threatened revenge against his perceived enemies, praised autocrats like Vladimir Putin of Russia and described America as a ruined nation only he can fix.

And over the weekend, he used an expletive to describe Harris.

Addressing a rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday (19), Trump referred to Harris as “a s**t vicepresident,” to roars of approval from his supporters.

Harris, speaking at a Baptist megachurch near Atlanta, urged a black congregation to embrace compassionate values while others “spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos.”

Kamala Harris with singer Stevie Wonder

She also appeared alongside Stevie Wonder, who sang Harris his rendition of Happy Birthday while urging voters to “think about more than yourself when you vote.”

Trump’s campaign has painted a dark image of a country gripped by crime and illegal immigration, describing some undocumented migrants as animals and accusing them of “invading” the country.

At campaign events, he has increasingly gone offscript, using bizarre and sometimes expletive-laden language – often to the delight of his die-hard supporters.

Harris, who is almost 18 years Trump’s junior, has increasingly drawn attention to his age, raising questions about his fitness to serve for a second term.

Last Sunday, Trump insisted his age was not slowing him down, telling a Pennsylvania town hall that “we’ve had some of the greatest leaders in world history that are in their 80s”.

But Harris said of her Republican rival, “If you listen to Donald Trump, if you watch any of his rallies, he’s the one who tends to demean and belittle and diminish the American people. He’s the one who talks about an enemy within, talking about the American people, suggesting he would turn the American military on the American people.”

More For You

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra says she wants strong roles not just ornamental characters

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra says she is just getting started in Hollywood with 'Heads of State' on Prime Video

Quick highlights:

  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
  • Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
  • Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
  • Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.

The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh becomes most followed musician on Spotify

Getty Images

Arijit Singh overtakes Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become most followed artist on Spotify

Quick highlights:

• Arijit Singh makes global music history with 151 million Spotify followers

• Surpasses Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in follower count

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher arrives for the special screening of Oasis documentary "Supersonic"

Getty Images

Liam Gallagher apologises for racial slur after backlash as Oasis reunion tour kicks off

Quick highlights:

  • Liam Gallagher issued an apology after using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post.
  • The offensive post appeared just days before Oasis kicked off their reunion tour in Cardiff.
  • Fans criticised the singer on X, prompting him to clarify it was unintentional.
  • Oasis will perform over 40 shows globally, starting 5 July in Wales.

Liam Gallagher has apologised for using a racial slur in a post on X, as Oasis reunites for their first tour in 15 years. The singer shared a one-word reply on Monday that included a derogatory term aimed at East Asian people. Though he quickly deleted it, screenshots circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.

In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Gallagher wrote: “Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. Peace and love LG x.”

Keep ReadingShow less