Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump reached out to voters outside their usual bases in key interviews on Wednesday, underscoring the competitive nature of the presidential race with just under three weeks to go until election day.
Harris appeared on Fox News for a combative interview, while Trump addressed Latinos on Univision and spoke at an all-women town hall in Georgia. Both candidates are working to secure support from traditionally skeptical voter groups.
During her Fox News appearance with Bret Baier, Harris highlighted distinctions between her potential presidency and President Joe Biden’s administration. She stressed that her leadership would bring fresh ideas and new perspectives, distancing herself from Biden without undermining him.
This marked one of Harris’ clearest attempts to define her political identity separately from Biden’s, especially in light of repeated questions about their differences.
Trump, in his appearances, focused heavily on reproductive issues, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF), an issue gaining attention following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
At the Georgia town hall, Trump took credit for Republican support of IVF, stating that his understanding of the issue came after discussions with Sen. Katie Britt. Trump aimed to reassure women voters that the GOP remains committed to fertility treatment access.
Donald Trump
Harris’ interview, her first formal sit-down with Fox News, was at times confrontational. Baier pressed her on several past positions, including support for free healthcare and driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.
Harris responded by emphasizing her commitment to upholding the law and accused Trump of exploiting issues such as taxpayer-funded gender transition care for political fearmongering. The Trump campaign quickly framed her performance as defensive and evasive.
Meanwhile, Harris also held an event in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with a group of Republicans supporting her campaign. This bipartisan gathering, held at Washington Crossing Historic Park, was aimed at highlighting the theme of putting “country over party.”
Harris emphasized the importance of protecting democratic ideals, and her efforts to court Republicans reflect a strategy of building a broad coalition of support in key battleground states.
The Fox News interview and the Bucks County event were seen by Harris’ campaign as successful steps toward reaching voters who may have been less exposed to her messaging.
Campaign spokesperson Brian Fallon remarked that Harris demonstrated her ability to stand up against a tough interviewer while reaching independents and Republicans who might be open to her candidacy, especially those previously aligned with candidates like Nikki Haley.
In contrast, Trump maintained his aggressive posture during his Univision town hall with Latino voters in Florida. He reiterated his stance against “enemies from within,” naming prominent Democrats like Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi as targets of his criticism.
He claimed to be unfairly targeted by investigations, drawing comparisons to historical figures like Al Capone. Trump faced pointed questions from Latino voters on issues such as immigration, the January 6 insurrection, and climate change, reflecting the challenges he faces in regaining trust from this group.
Both candidates’ efforts to engage different voter groups signal the increasingly tight race and the importance of expanding their appeal beyond their core supporters. Harris and Trump are strategically targeting swing voters in critical battleground states, as both campaigns recognize the need to broaden their reach to secure a victory in the upcoming election.
