Vice President Kamala Harris delivered scathing remarks against former President Donald Trump during a CNN town hall event in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, accusing him of being a “fascist” and questioning his stability as a leader. The Democratic candidate’s sharp critique comes just weeks before the November election, at a crucial moment when voter sentiments in swing states are expected to determine the outcome of the 2024 US presidential race.

Addressing a room full of voters, Harris responded to growing concerns about Trump’s past behavior and public statements. She did not hold back in her assessment of her Republican opponent, condemning his admiration for dictators and warning that his leadership posed a danger to American democracy.

“Americans care deeply about the economy, health care, and national security. But they also care about our democracy and not having a president of the United States who admires dictators and is a fascist,” Harris declared, her voice resolute.

Harris’s comments were prompted by recent revelations from Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff, John Kelly. The retired four-star general and decorated Iraq war veteran recently told The New York Times about an alarming conversation he had with Trump. According to Kelly, Trump once remarked, “Hitler did some good things too,” while discussing military leadership during World War II. Trump reportedly expressed admiration for the Nazi dictator’s generals, saying, “I want generals like Adolf Hitler had,” a statement that further inflamed concerns about his reverence for autocratic regimes.

Kelly’s damning revelations echo the sentiments of other former Trump administration officials, including John Bolton, his national security advisor, and Mike Pence, his vice president, both of whom have distanced themselves from Trump and expressed fears about his future in politics.

At the CNN town hall, Harris emphasized these testimonies, saying, “Numerous former officials have said that Donald Trump has contempt for the Constitution. They have warned that he should never again serve as president of the United States.”

Harris Warns of “Danger” to American Democracy

Harris took aim at Trump’s broader conduct and suitability for office, building on the narrative that the former president poses a serious threat to America’s foundational values. “I believe Donald Trump is a danger to the wellbeing and security of America,” she asserted.

She continued to outline the stakes of the 2024 election, portraying the race as a fight for the soul of the nation. Harris warned that returning Trump to the White House could erode the democratic institutions that have defined the United States for centuries.

As expected, Trump swiftly responded to Harris’s charges during a rally in Duluth, Georgia, a state he won in 2016 but lost to President Joe Biden in 2020. Trump, 78, who has remained defiant despite multiple legal battles, hit back at Harris over her economic policy and reignited his famed catchphrase from The Apprentice television show.

“You have to stand up and tell Kamala Harris, ‘Kamala, you’ve done a horrible job. You’re the worst ever. Kamala, you’re fired. Get out!’” Trump told the roaring crowd of supporters.

In classic Trump fashion, he also attacked Harris’s record as vice president and criticized her approach to the economy, accusing her of incompetence and ineffectiveness on key issues such as inflation and immigration.

Adding further complexity to Trump’s campaign, The Guardian reported allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump just moments before he took the stage in Georgia. A former model alleged that Trump groped her in the 1990s after they were introduced by the notorious convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the timing of the allegations, Trump did not address the claims during his rally, and his campaign has yet to officially respond.

Harris’s appearance in Pennsylvania, a state pivotal to the 2024 election, underscored the importance of voter turnout in swing states. Speaking at the Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia, Harris energized her supporters, expressing confidence in her campaign’s ability to win the election. “Knock wood, God willing, we are going to win,” she said to a cheering crowd of supporters and local workers.

Pennsylvania, a battleground state that narrowly swung in Biden’s favor in 2020, has seen intense campaigning from both Harris and Trump. With over 26.5 million Americans already voting by mail or in person, including more than a million in Pennsylvania, the race is in full swing as both sides battle for every vote.

Harris’s campaign has prioritized in-person appearances and voter outreach in the final weeks leading up to Election Day. This effort includes a major rally on Tuesday at the Washington, D.C. site where Trump addressed supporters before the deadly January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. Harris aims to draw a stark contrast between her vision of America and the chaos Trump brought to Washington.

Obama and Springsteen Join the Harris Campaign

Harris is also bolstering her campaign with appearances from key Democratic figures. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will join her on the campaign trail this Saturday in Michigan, marking her first official involvement in Harris’s election efforts. Michigan, another crucial battleground state, has seen tight polling in recent weeks, and Democrats hope that Obama’s star power will help drive turnout.

This appearance will be preceded by Harris’s first joint campaign event with former President Barack Obama on Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will be a key moment in the Democrats’ get-out-the-vote strategy, and the campaign has announced that veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen will kick off the rally with a concert, adding another layer of enthusiasm for voters.

These high-profile endorsements are part of the Harris campaign’s efforts to attract moderate Republican voters and independents who may be disillusioned with Trump but hesitant to fully support the Democratic ticket.

Trump’s Legal Troubles Loom Large

Trump’s continued presence in the election has not come without controversy. The former president has been convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to an adult film star. Despite these legal troubles, Trump has remained defiant, framing himself as a victim of political persecution.

At his rallies, Trump has focused on issues such as immigration and the economy, tapping into voter frustrations over inflation and border security. “Under my leadership, the economy was booming, and we had the lowest unemployment in history,” Trump declared at his Georgia rally, contrasting his tenure with what he called the “disastrous” Biden administration.

Trump’s team is betting that his promises to crack down on illegal immigration and restore economic stability will resonate with voters in the final stretch of the campaign. However, Harris has made it clear that her campaign will focus on painting Trump as a figure unfit to lead the nation, with dangerous impulses that could imperil American democracy.

A Nation Divided

The 2024 election represents a moment of deep division in the United States, with stark differences in the visions being offered by Harris and Trump. For Harris, the election is about preserving the democratic norms that have long been the cornerstone of the American political system. For Trump, the race is a chance to return to power and resume his brand of populist leadership, which appeals to a significant portion of the American electorate.

As the election enters its final stages, both campaigns are ramping up efforts to energize their bases while persuading undecided voters in swing states. With polls suggesting a tight race, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia are likely to be the key battlegrounds that determine the outcome.

Harris, bolstered by her support from influential Democrats and a well-organized campaign operation, is betting that her message of protecting democracy and restoring stability will resonate with voters. Trump, despite his legal battles and controversies, remains a formidable opponent, tapping into voter anxieties about the economy and national security.

As Election Day approaches, the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has evolved into a high-stakes contest not only for the presidency but for the future direction of the United States itself.