NORTH CAROLINA, USA: Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump campaigned closely in North Carolina, one of seven highly contested states in the upcoming election.
As Harris disembarked from Air Force Two at the Charlotte airport, she was greeted by the sight of Trump’s private Boeing 757 on the tarmac, emphasizing the significance of this battleground state.
At her Charlotte rally, Harris underscored concerns that a second Trump presidency would lead to unchecked power, describing him as “obsessed with revenge” and “unstable.”
Meanwhile, Trump campaigned nearby, warning that Harris’s immigration policies would create “squalid, dangerous refugee camps” and pledged to deport millions of immigrants if elected. Trump also targeted the federal disaster response for North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene, while Harris cited Trump’s opposition to democratic norms, and urged voters to prevent the return of what she called his “destructive” leadership.
North Carolina, which narrowly favored Trump in 2020 yet also elected a Democratic governor, has already seen around 4 million early votes cast. This voter turnout reflects high enthusiasm, with residents in hurricane-affected areas voting at rates comparable to other parts of the state.
In terms of policy, Harris and Trump presented contrasting views on a range of issues, from NATO and abortion rights to economic measures like the CHIPS Act, which provides subsidies to semiconductor manufacturers. While Harris advocated for continuing investments under the CHIPS Act, Trump and Republican Speaker Mike Johnson signaled a potential rollback if they control the government, with Johnson promising to “streamline” rather than entirely eliminate the act.
Both candidates’ North Carolina visits illustrate the close competition as the election nears, with voters’ decisions likely hinging on these starkly different policy and leadership approaches.
