Allentown, Pa. — In the final hours before Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are focusing their last campaign efforts on Pennsylvania, a state likely to determine the next president. The two contenders, representing sharply divided visions for the country, crisscrossed Pennsylvania on Monday, urging supporters to get out and vote.
Trump Rallies Supporters in Pittsburgh, Stoking Nationalist Sentiment
Trump’s campaign trail brought him to Pittsburgh, where he made an impassioned “closing argument,” hoping to rally last-minute support. His speech, while robust, carried a rasp, showing the strain of constant rallies over recent days. At Madison Square Garden earlier, Trump’s rally had been marred by a comedian’s offensive joke about Puerto Rico, which drew criticism even from some of his supporters.
Trump, undeterred, launched into a critique of the last four years under the Biden-Harris administration. “Americans have endured setback after setback,” he said, accusing the administration of failing to deliver on promises. As he spoke, the crowd’s energy was palpable, and they erupted in cheers when he called for Harris to be “fired” — a nod to his famous line from his reality TV days on The Apprentice.
Trump’s itinerary on Monday began in North Carolina and concluded in Michigan, a familiar ending to his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. Yet he emphasized Pennsylvania’s significance, stating, “If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole ball of wax.” This rallying cry reinforced his campaign’s focus on the state’s 19 Electoral College votes, which are crucial for either candidate’s victory.
Harris Engages Pennsylvania Voters with Messages of Unity and Inclusivity
Meanwhile, Harris, the Democratic nominee, dedicated her entire Monday to rallying Pennsylvania voters. Moving between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, she stressed the importance of every vote, especially in a state where the margins are razor-thin. “We need everyone in Pennsylvania to vote,” she said, emphasizing the state’s role in tipping the scales for either side.
Harris, a history-making candidate who could become the first female president and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office, told supporters that her focus was on uniting Americans. To further boost support, she rallied alongside rapper Fat Joe and made stops at local spots like Reading’s Old San Juan Café, accompanied by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
As she addressed the crowd, Harris drew on personal anecdotes from her early political career, sharing how she used an ironing board as a makeshift desk during her 2002 campaign for San Francisco district attorney. “It made people stop and talk to me,” she recalled with a laugh, showing a more personal, relatable side to her campaign.
Pennsylvania’s Latino Vote Becomes a Battleground
Both Harris and Trump paid visits to Reading, a city home to thousands of Latinos, including a large Puerto Rican community. The former president’s remarks about Puerto Rico at a prior rally had sparked controversy. Trump campaign officials had invited comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, whose remarks on Puerto Rico drew swift backlash. The incident has hung over his campaign in areas with high Latino populations, creating mixed reactions among voters.
Some in the community, like German Vega, a Dominican American, were outraged by the joke and called on Trump to apologize. Vega, a U.S. citizen since 2015, explained, “It bothered so many people — even Republicans. It wasn’t right, and Trump should’ve apologized.”
Others, however, brushed off the controversy. Emilio Feliciano, a Puerto Rican American who was seen waiting for Trump’s motorcade in Reading, emphasized that economic issues mattered more to him. “I care about the economy. That’s why I’m voting for Trump,” he said, indicating that for some, financial priorities outweigh controversial remarks.
Security and Immigration Take Center Stage
Trump focused heavily on immigration in his Pittsburgh speech, reiterating his promises to crack down on illegal immigration. As a powerful example, he called to the stage Patty Morin, mother of Rachel Morin, who was allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant. Rachel’s story has become central to Trump’s narrative around border security.
“Is the border going to be safe? Are you going to keep crime down?” Trump asked the crowd, connecting his policies to broader national security concerns. With immigration serving as one of the pillars of Trump’s campaign, he framed it as a critical issue, especially in Pennsylvania, where opinions on immigration policies are notably polarized.
| Key Issues | Trump’s Position | Harris’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration | Strengthen border security, crack down on undocumented immigrants | Propose comprehensive reform, prioritize DACA recipients |
| Economy | Focus on lowering taxes and regulation | Strengthen social programs, address wealth inequality |
| Latino Relations | Downplayed offensive jokes, emphasized economic issues | Stressed commitment to Puerto Rican and Latino communities |
Historic Stakes and Final Day Strategies
The stakes of this election are undeniably historic. A win for Trump would mean a return to the White House for the only U.S. president to ever be convicted of a felony, following his hush-money trial in New York. Winning would also put him in a position to end ongoing federal investigations against him, a unique scenario in American history.
On the other hand, Harris stands poised to make history as the first female president, and the first president of both Black and South Asian descent. She has maintained a largely positive campaign tone, referring to Trump as simply “the other guy,” a strategic decision her campaign team says is intentional. “We’re focusing on a hopeful future,” said Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon. “That’s what voters want to see.”
As the last hours tick down, the candidates’ messages have become emblematic of their contrasting styles: Trump’s rallying cry for change through a hardline approach, versus Harris’s promise of a united, diverse America. With millions already casting early ballots, Pennsylvania remains the crucial swing state that could decide it all.
