As this election concludes, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’ closing arguments painted two clashing visions for America. In a deeply personal message, Harris has framed her candidacy as one of unity, progress and support for working Americans. Trump, on the other hand, has fallen back on his heavily divisive culture war, amplifying grievances and echoing rhetoric that is openly hostile to many Americans.
Launching her final push, Harris revisited the Jan. 6 insurrection to remind voters of the chaos and violence associated with Trump. Harris’ message reaches beyond party lines, framing the election as “more than just a choice between two parties and candidates; this is a choice about whether we have a country rooted in freedom or ruled by chaos and division.”
She criticized Trump for dismissing the mob’s calls to kill Mike Pence with a cold “so what.” Harris underscored her political commitment to unifying and working on the behalf of every American with the simple phrase: “Trump would walk in with an enemy list; I will walk in with a to-do list,” showing her commitment to Americans regardless of political affiliation.
Trump’s campaign, meanwhile, has doubled down on stoking division and inflaming cultural battles. Just last week at Madison Square Garden, Trump hosted what he called a “lovefest,” though many, including former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly, described it as “too brotastic” and failing to appeal to voters beyond his loyal base.
The rally, reminiscent of the infamous 1939 Nazi Rally at the same venue, drew scrutiny from none other than Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, who posted side-by-side images of the two events on X with the haunting caption, “So, we’re really doing this again. Eyes wide open.” Radio host Sid Rosenberg likened the rally to a “Nazi Rally.”
At the rally, Trump’s surrogates went after immigrants and minorities with brazen hostility. Speakers took to the stage to viciously assert that “we need to slaughter these other people.” Trump referred to America’s adversaries as “the enemy within,” adding that they “have done very bad things to this country.” Trump’s rallies have been punctuated with derogatory comments about Harris, with some speakers referring to her as a “devil” and the “antichrist.”
The biggest hit came from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe who commented that Puerto Rico is a “floating island of garbage,” which drew condemnation from prominent political figures. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reminded everyone that “that’s just what they think about you. It’s what they think about anyone who makes less money than them.” While Hinchcliffe later defended his remark as a joke, this excuse falls flat given the harm such rhetoric inflicts. Having comedians known for harsh, roast-style humor at a closing argument speech only amplifies this damage, risks alienating voters and undermines the seriousness of the campaign’s message.
Meanwhile, Harris’ strategy has emphasized connecting directly with marginalized communities rather than alienating them. While Trump was busy making fun of Puerto Rican voters, Harris was in Pennsylvania at a Puerto Rican restaurant, showing solidarity with the state’s 400,000 plus Puerto Rican voters.
This stark contrast extends to key issues that resonate with female voters, a demographic crucial in battleground states. Historically, white women have leaned Republican. But Trump’s lead among white women has shrunk to just one point this year, the lowest margin for any GOP candidate this century. CNN political analyst Harry Enten attributes this shift to issues like abortion, which is a priority for women in these states. More than 80 percent of voters in these battlegrounds are white, and in Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a recent poll showed that 27 percent of women list abortion as their top concern, compared to only 8 percent of men.
In her final campaign days, Harris made abortion access a centerpiece, using figures like Michelle Obama to powerfully reframe it as an issue that affects both men and women.
“To the men who love us, let me just try to paint a picture of what it will feel like if America, the wealthiest nation on Earth, keeps revoking basic care from its women, and how it will affect every single woman in your life,” Obama said.
Instead of a unifying message, Trump’s message to women has been that he will protect them “whether they like it or not,” an approach that will likely alienate voters and deepen the gender gap in this race. It’s yet another instance where Trump has made it clear that he doesn’t believe women should have the agency to make decisions about their own lives.
In the final stretch of the campaign, Trump’s ambiguous slogan, “Trump will fix it,” channels frustration but leaves the issues open-ended, with no concrete solutions on the table. His rallies stoke discontent and anger without offering clarity on how he intends to make Americans’ lives better. This approach relies on vague, resentment-fueled appeals rather than specific policies — a gamble that voters will fill in the gaps based on their own frustrations, whether economic, political, or personal.
In contrast, Harris promotes a forward-looking vision centered on unity and practical plans for the future: “We are not going back.” Her message prioritizes respect over division and purpose over grievance. As she articulated, “The United States of America is not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators; the United States of America is the greatest idea humanity ever devised.” Harris’ emphasis on progress and unity could galvanize the enthusiasm necessary to move away from Trump’s divisive rhetoric and toward a more inclusive, forward-thinking future.
Contact Tejas Varma at varmat@oxy.edu
