Kamala Harris Criticizes Trump’s Campaign Stamina Amid Intensifying Election Race
DETROIT, United States (AFP) — As the 2024 U.S. presidential race heats up, questions about fitness and endurance have come to the forefront, with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris scrutinizing former President Donald Trump’s campaign stamina. This comes amid reports suggesting Trump, at 78, is "exhausted," leading to a reevaluation of his capacity to lead.
The Republican candidate has recently withdrawn from several high-profile interviews, including with NBC, CNBC, and CBS, and declined a second debate with Harris after a challenging encounter in the first. Politico cited a Trump aide’s comments on his fatigue, which the Trump camp has dismissed as unfounded.
Addressing her supporters in Michigan, 60-year-old Harris capitalized on the situation by questioning Trump’s ability to handle the presidential role. "If you are exhausted on the campaign trail, it raises real questions about whether you are fit for the toughest job in the world," she emphasized.
Despite the scrutiny, Trump has maintained a busy, albeit selective, media schedule, opting for outlets known for being less confrontational. The former president rebuffed Harris’s remarks, characterizing her as a "loser" and insisting he leads substantially in the polls, despite Harris holding a narrow lead nationally and both candidates being tied in crucial Michigan surveys.
Trump has stirred surprise with a campaign strategy that mixes essential swing state visits with appearances in traditionally Democratic strongholds like New York. At a recent event, he faced criticism for making controversial remarks about Harris, highlighting the increasingly personal nature of the campaign rhetoric.
As both candidates canvas battleground states with early voting underway, Harris is advocating for early voting to counteract the Republican edge on Election Day. By late Friday, nearly 12 million votes had been cast, with a significant portion from swing states.
Harris addressed blue-collar voters in Lansing, focusing on labor and manufacturing issues, and faced the sensitive balancing act of supporting President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel amid backlash from Muslim and Arab American voters in Michigan regarding the situation in Gaza. Her optimism for a ceasefire following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar contrasts with Israel’s ongoing campaign against the group.
Trump, meanwhile, has suggested that Sinwar’s death might advance peace prospects but cautioned President Biden against interfering with Israel’s military actions.
With both candidates entrenched in key states, the race intensifies as the November election looms, each vying for an electorate deeply engaged with diverse and pressing national and international issues.
