In the U.S. presidential campaign, Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic contender Kamala Harris clashed over the state of American unity and the future direction of the nation, delivering sharply contrasting messages at rallies in North Carolina on Wednesday. As the nation’s eyes fix on November 5, tensions are high, and the divide between the candidates’ support bases reflects an increasingly polarized America.
With only days remaining until the vote, each candidate used their North Carolina visits to address themes of loyalty, grievance, and hope, casting the other as emblematic of the divisions tearing at America’s fabric.
In a speech that resonated with his supporters, Trump seized on a recent comment made by President Joe Biden, who in an offhand remark described some Trump supporters as “garbage.” Trump cited this as evidence of Democrats’ deep-seated disdain for his followers and, by extension, for America itself.
“You can’t lead America if you don’t love Americans, and you can’t be president if you hate the American people,” Trump declared to an enthusiastic crowd in North Carolina. In this swing state, one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the race, Trump has a narrow lead, though poll numbers continue to fluctuate.
With Trump’s sharp rebuke of Biden’s “garbage” comment, the candidate sought to reinforce his image as a champion of the “heart and soul” of America, defending ordinary citizens against a political elite he claims looks down upon them. It’s a message that has helped him build a large following among working-class Americans, who feel alienated by what they perceive as a condescending political class.
“Democrats have shown us again and again who they think we are,” Trump said. “They call you ‘deplorables,’ they call you ‘garbage.’ But you’re not garbage – you’re the backbone of this country, and together, we’re going to take back our country.”
In a nearby venue, Kamala Harris addressed her supporters, urging them to “turn the page” on what she called Trump’s divisive approach to leadership. She focused on Trump’s penchant for grievance politics, claiming he is more interested in personal vendettas than in serving the people.
“If he is elected, on Day One Donald Trump will walk into that office with an enemies list,” Harris asserted. “When I am elected, I will walk in with a to-do list.” Her remarks were well-received by supporters who are weary of the divisiveness that has characterized much of the country’s political discourse in recent years.
Harris framed herself as a unifying figure who can move beyond partisan grudges and build bridges to address America’s pressing challenges. This message aims to resonate with North Carolina’s moderate voters and independents, who could be the deciding factor in this closely contested state.
Recent polls underscore the razor-thin margins in the race, not only nationwide but also in the seven battleground states, including North Carolina. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday, Harris holds a national lead of just 44% to Trump’s 43% among registered voters, putting the two neck and neck. The margins in swing states, which will ultimately decide the election, are similarly close, adding to the tension in the final days.
Historically a Republican stronghold, North Carolina last voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2008, though the state elected Democratic Governor Roy Cooper in 2017. Trump’s narrow win in the state in 2020 keeps North Carolina’s electoral votes up for grabs, and both candidates have made multiple campaign stops here, underscoring its significance.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, many are expressing frustration over the state of national politics. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in March found that 38% of Republicans view the Democratic Party as an “imminent threat” to the United States, while 41% of Democrats see the Republican Party similarly. This stark divide has fueled fears of potential unrest on Election Day and in the weeks that follow.
The heightened polarization has had tangible effects on the election process, with authorities across the country preparing for possible disruptions. In Florida, a man was recently arrested for allegedly brandishing a machete while intimidating voters, an incident that has put local law enforcement on high alert in other competitive states as well.
Election workers in key swing states are now implementing additional security measures to protect both voters and the integrity of the voting process. Many are worried that rising tensions could lead to violence or voter suppression efforts, concerns that have been exacerbated by Trump’s continued claims of voter fraud and his hints at challenging the election results if he loses.
Since his 2020 defeat, Trump has claimed, without evidence, that widespread fraud was responsible for his loss, and he has made similar insinuations regarding this election cycle. Trump and his allies have already filed a series of lawsuits questioning election rules, particularly around mail-in voting and voter eligibility. His legal team has zeroed in on fears of noncitizen voting, though state and independent reviews indicate such cases are extremely rare.
The legal wrangling won a partial victory on Wednesday when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Virginia’s decision to remove 1,600 voters from its rolls due to concerns over citizenship status. Biden’s administration has contested this purge, asserting that it disproportionately affects eligible voters who may be wrongfully disenfranchised.
The fallout from Biden’s comment on Trump supporters has further fueled the partisan divide. On Tuesday, Biden explained that he had been referring specifically to a racist incident at a Trump rally rather than making a broad generalization. However, Trump was quick to seize on the comment, accusing Biden of disparaging his entire base.
“We’re ‘garbage.’ And I call you the heart and soul of America,” Trump proclaimed, reframing Biden’s remark as an attack on working-class Americans.
The comment has sparked debate within the Democratic Party as well, with some members concerned that Biden’s words undercut Harris’s efforts to reach out to moderate and conservative voters who may feel alienated by the Democratic Party’s recent shifts. Harris, who has previously championed messages of unity and inclusivity, now faces an additional challenge as she seeks to mend fences in the campaign’s final days.
The attention to North Carolina by both campaigns highlights its potential to swing the election. The state has seen its share of challenges recently, including devastating hurricane damage that has created uncertainty about voter turnout and election infrastructure.
Patrick Ruffini, a Republican pollster, notes that the storm-hit western region of North Carolina, a Republican-leaning area that accounted for about 9% of the vote in 2020, could play a pivotal role. Cleanup efforts, some of which were federally funded, have been met with bipartisan praise, although Trump has claimed without evidence that some of the aid was diverted to help immigrants.
The state has also seen record early voter turnout, with 43% of registered voters having already cast their ballots. According to Michael Blitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College, early voters in the state are predominantly white, suburban, and female, demographics that may provide hints about which way the state is leaning, though analysts caution that absentee ballots could significantly impact the final results.
