Trump’s Final Week: Controversies Derail Closing Argument Amid Tight Race
Former President Donald Trump’s final week of campaigning against Vice President Kamala Harris has been marred by a series of damaging controversies and gaffes. While his campaign focused on key policy planks – including universal tariffs, substantial tax cuts, and mass deportations – a string of offensive remarks and violent rhetoric overshadowed his message, potentially harming his chances in a close election.
Key Takeaways: Trump’s Tumultuous Final Week
- Offensive remarks by a comedian at a Trump rally ignited a firestorm of criticism, particularly within the crucial Puerto Rican voting bloc.
- Trump’s violent rhetoric targeting former Rep. Liz Cheney is under investigation as a potential death threat.
- A controversial statement about “protecting” American women, regardless of their wishes, provided the Harris campaign with ammunition to highlight differences on women’s rights.
- The controversies have overshadowed Trump’s core policy platform, potentially alienating key demographics and undermining his closing argument.
- Despite the challenges, polls show a neck-and-neck race in crucial swing states, highlighting the uncertainty of the election’s outcome.
The Puerto Rico Controversy: A PR Disaster
Trump’s final week began with a rally at Madison Square Garden. However, the event was overshadowed by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s opening act, during which he crudely insulted Puerto Rico, referring to it as “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.” This sparked outrage across Puerto Rico and among its diaspora in the US. Musician Bad Bunny and various elected officials condemned the remarks. The negative fallout extended to Allentown, Pennsylvania, a key battleground state with a significant Puerto Rican population, where Mayor Matt Tuerk reported widespread voter anger: “Enraged is a word that I’ve heard a few people say.”
Damage Control and Democratic Response
The Trump campaign immediately attempted damage control, with senior advisor Danielle Alvarez stating, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” However, the damage was done. The Harris campaign swiftly capitalized on the controversy, portraying it as another example of Trump’s divisive rhetoric. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, stated, “We saw what happened in New York City at Madison Square Garden as another attempt to divide us… The disrespect given to our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico was not just unnecessary, it was incredibly hurtful.“
Violent Rhetoric and Legal Ramifications
Further damaging Trump’s image was his inflammatory rhetoric targeting Liz Cheney, who’s become a prominent surrogate for the Harris campaign. At an Arizona rally, Trump stated, “She’s a radical war hawk. Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her… Okay, let’s see how she feels about it. You know when the guns are trained on her face.” This prompted the Arizona Attorney General to launch an investigation into whether Trump’s comments constitute a death threat under state law.
Harris Campaign’s Strategic Response
The Harris campaign skillfully contrasted Trump’s violent imagery with Harris’ own approach. Ian Sams, a Harris campaign senior advisor, highlighted this contrast on MSNBC: “You have Donald Trump who is talking about sending a prominent Republican to the firing squad and you have Vice President Harris talking about sending one to her Cabinet.“
Trump attempted to clarify his comments on “Fox & Friends,” claiming he only meant to suggest Cheney “go out and face the enemy with a gun in her hand,” but the damage was already done. This incident further emphasized a pattern of Trump’s unhinged rhetoric overshadowing his policy messages.
“Protecting” Women: A Controversial Statement
Adding to the controversies, Trump stated at a Wisconsin rally that he would “protect” American women “whether the women like it or not.” This remark provided the Harris campaign with another opportunity to attack Trump’s views on women’s rights, particularly regarding reproductive healthcare and access to abortion. This resonated with female voters deeply concerned about the overturning of *Roe v. Wade* and subsequent state-level abortion restrictions.
The Abortion Issue and Women’s Votes
The Democrats focused on the significant support Harris enjoys among women, emphasizing the stark contrast between Trump’s perceived imposition of his beliefs and Harris’ commitment to protecting women’s reproductive freedom. Former Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod noted on CNN that Harris’ “closing well,” emphasizing her disciplined messaging in contrast to Trump’s chaotic approach. He stated that “She’s on a message. She’s been very disciplined. Trump has not, and I think that is meaningful.“
The “Weave” and a Disconnect with Voters?
Trump has referred to his often rambling and unpredictable speaking style as “the weave,” acknowledging its tendency to derail his policy messaging. Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson highlighted the potential consequences of this disconnect on CNN’s “State of the Union”: “His message on air is one that says, ‘if you want the economy to be back on track, and you want the world to not be on fire, vote for me.’ That’s a good message… It’s unfortunately for him, different than sometimes what he’s saying on the stump… And I think that disconnect, if he loses will be part of why.“
Conclusion: A Tight Race with Uncertain Outcomes
With the presidential race incredibly close in several swing states, the impact of Trump’s final-week controversies remains uncertain. While his campaign aimed to focus on economic issues and policy, the numerous distractions shifted the narrative, potentially affecting his ability to garner support. The outcome hinges on whether voters prioritize his policy platform, despite his personal conduct, or if the controversies prove too damaging to overcome. Only election day will provide the definitive answer.