Former President Donald Trump intensified his campaign efforts this week, hitting the trail in battleground states and criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris' lack of press availability.
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With the Democratic and Republican national conventions now in the books, the 2024 race for the White House has entered its final stretch, and former President Donald Trump is picking up the pace. Last week, as the Democrats held their convention in Chicago, Trump made stops in five of the seven crucial battleground states that could determine the outcome of the election.
Trump Blasts Harris, Kicks Off Final Sprint in 2024 Race
Trump's campaign has indicated that they will continue to focus their messaging on specific communities, aiming to mobilize key voting blocs. This strategy was evident in Trump's recent rally in Arizona, where he delivered a well-received speech.
This week, Trump will address the National Guard Association of the United States in Detroit and return to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania for additional campaign events. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, will also stump in Michigan on Tuesday.
Trump Blasts Harris, Kicks Off Final Sprint in 2024 Race
These three states, known as the Democrats' "blue wall," have been the focus of intense competition in recent presidential elections. Trump broke through the blue wall in 2016, winning all three states, but lost them to President Biden in 2020.
Vice President Harris has seen a surge in energy and enthusiasm since taking over the top spot on the Democratic ticket five weeks ago. Her campaign has reported raising over $540 million in that time, including $82 million during the convention last week.
Trump Blasts Harris, Kicks Off Final Sprint in 2024 Race
Trump's campaign expects this momentum to continue in the short term, acknowledging the typical "post-convention bounce" that candidates typically experience. However, they believe that Harris' vulnerability lies in her lack of press conferences and major interviews since becoming the Democratic nominee.
"She can't answer questions," Trump said on Monday, criticizing Harris' media avoidance. He claimed that the vice president "can't talk" and that "we can't have another dummy as a president."
Trump Blasts Harris, Kicks Off Final Sprint in 2024 Race
The Harris campaign has fired back, accusing the GOP ticket of "ducking and dodging" questions. They have also highlighted Harris' record on issues like climate change and reproductive rights.
The Trump campaign is planning to use Democrat-turned-independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a top surrogate. Kennedy, a high-profile vaccine skeptic, suspended his campaign on Friday and endorsed Trump.
Trump Blasts Harris, Kicks Off Final Sprint in 2024 Race
The campaign trail will not be empty this week, as Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will embark on a bus tour in battleground Georgia starting Wednesday. Harris is scheduled to hold a rally in Savannah on Thursday evening.
The 2024 race for the White House is shaping up to be a closely contested battle, with both major party candidates intensifying their efforts in the final months of the campaign.
