Wednesday, July 24, 2024

OnPolitics: How will Trump play offense and defense against Harris?

Read in browser

On Politics

Wed Jul 24 2024

Sudiksha Kochi | Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter

@KochiSudiksha

Hey OnPolitics readers! Donald Trump may want to stay on the attack against newly minted opponent Kamala Harris – but the Republican presidential nominee will also have to play plenty of defense against criticism from the Democratic vice president as she officially launches her 2024 bid.

Since Joe Biden withdrew from the race on Sunday, Harris and allies have focused on any number of Trump liabilities, including his criminal record, his civil lawsuits centered around sexual abuse and bank fraud, his age and mental acuity and his pledge to be a dictator on day one of a potential second term, USA TODAY's David Jackson reported.

👊The prosecutor and the felon: In citing her legal background, Harris has emphasized that civil juries and judges in New York have found Trump liable for sexual abuse and bank fraud. A criminal jury also convicted Trump of falsifying business records via hush money paymentsto an adult film actress.

🕰️The age factor: Before this week, Trump made much of Biden's age, his sometimes-slurry speech and his slow-and-shuffling gait. And his insults came as poll after poll showed that Americans have had concerns about Biden's age for months. Now, those kinds of comments are being turned on Trump, 78.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

🥊Dictator on 'day one': Trump's praise of authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jinping of China, and Viktor Orban of Hungary may also put him on the defensive in the election. He's called the leaders strong and said that's what the United States needs. Harris and others have blasted Trump's pledge to be a dictator on day one of a potential second administration.