Harris tells undecided voters that Trump’s a ‘fascist’ and other takeaways from her town hall
In a high-stakes CNN town hall on Wednesday night, October 23, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage to warn undecided voters about the dangers of a potential second term for former President Donald Trump. Harris didn’t mince words during the event, making one of her boldest statements yet: She called Trump a “fascist,” highlighting her concerns about his impact on American democracy.
Harris, speaking directly to a live audience from the Philadelphia suburbs, made it clear that her closing argument to voters in this critical phase of the election is that Trump poses a significant threat to the country. She referred to past statements and actions of Trump that have raised alarms among critics and opponents alike, particularly his admiration for authoritarian figures and controversial remarks about the U.S. Constitution. Harris noted that Trump has openly expressed a desire to terminate parts of the Constitution, a statement that drew widespread condemnation from legal experts and politicians when he made it.
During the town hall, Harris was asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper whether she agreed with the assessment of John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, who recently claimed that Trump has expressed positive opinions about Adolf Hitler’s generals. Kelly, who served in Trump’s administration for over a year, had previously spoken about the former president’s troubling views on leadership and military history. While Trump and his team have vehemently denied Kelly’s allegations, Harris did not hesitate to back them. “Yes, I do,” Harris said when asked if she thought Trump was a fascist. She argued that a second Trump term would be even more dangerous, as many experienced civil servants and advisors who had previously tried to curb his impulses would no longer be in place.
Harris emphasized that the absence of these career public servants in a second Trump administration could lead to unchecked actions, making the former president’s leadership more extreme. “We must take very seriously those folks who knew him best and who are career people. They are not going to be there to hold him back,” she warned. Her remarks seemed tailored to sway undecided voters in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state that both campaigns are intensely focusing on in the final weeks of the election.
Despite her strong rhetoric against Trump, Harris was also met with challenging questions from undecided voters in the audience. When asked who was to blame for the high cost of groceries—Trump or Biden—Harris avoided placing full responsibility on either leader. Instead, she expressed sympathy for Americans struggling with inflation and outlined steps the administration is taking to address price gouging. However, she acknowledged that both parties, Democrats and Republicans, have not done enough to tackle the broader issue of housing, which has become a major concern for many voters heading into the election.
In one of the more lighthearted yet revealing moments of the night, Harris was asked about her weaknesses—an inquiry often heard in job interviews but rarely posed to political candidates in a public forum. Harris chuckled before admitting, “I am certainly not perfect, so let’s start there.” She then offered a somewhat unconventional response, noting that while some might see her reliance on a team of “very smart people” as a weakness, she views it as a strength. Harris explained that she values surrounding herself with individuals who bring diverse perspectives to the table, helping her make better decisions as vice president.
Throughout the town hall, Harris also shared personal stories that gave the audience a glimpse into her life beyond politics. She opened up about the pain of losing her mother and the challenges she faced as a parent, reflecting on the mistakes she made along the way. Harris, a Christian, also spoke about her faith, mentioning her pastor by name and describing how prayer is a daily practice for her. She told the audience that her faith deeply informs her work as vice president, shaping her belief in service and uplifting others. “Faith is a verb,” Harris said, explaining that her mission in life is to use her role to help people.
The event was seen as a pivotal moment for Harris and the Biden campaign, as they seek to shore up support among undecided voters in swing states like Pennsylvania. Trump had reportedly been invited by CNN to participate in his own town hall, but he declined, leaving Harris with the spotlight to make her case to the American people. Her characterization of Trump as a “fascist” is likely to dominate headlines and spark debate in the days leading up to the election, as both sides brace for what is expected to be a fiercely contested battle for the presidency.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, Harris’ performance at the town hall may help solidify her role as a key voice in the Biden re-election effort. Whether her bold statements resonate with undecided voters or alienate some remains to be seen, but the vice president made it clear that she views Trump as a grave danger to the future of American democracy.
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