US (Washington Insider Magazine) – With just over three weeks until the US presidential election, the campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are intensifying. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest political developments this week and where the candidates stand in the polls.
1. Harris Maintains Slim Lead in Polls
As of October 11, the latest national polling averages show Vice President Kamala Harris leading slightly:
- FiveThirtyEight: Harris at 48.5%, Trump at 46% (+2.5 lead for Harris)
- 270toWin: Harris at 49.3%, Trump at 46.5% (+2.8 lead for Harris)
However, a Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests Harris is gaining traction among suburban voters (47% vs. 41%), while a New York Times/Siena College poll indicates she may be losing ground among Black voters (78% support vs. Biden’s 90% in 2020).
2. Hurricane Milton Sparks Disinformation Battle
Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Florida, becoming a political flashpoint. Trump falsely claimed that the federal government was withholding aid from Republican areas, while President Joe Biden called such disinformation “un-American.” Harris also criticized Trump for politicizing disaster relief.
3. Harris Intensifies Media Presence, Trump Clashes with Press
Harris has ramped up her media appearances, giving interviews on Call Her Daddy, The Howard Stern Show, The View, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and 60 Minutes. Meanwhile, Trump backed out of a scheduled 60 Minutes interview, later accusing the network of bias and calling for CBS’s broadcasting license to be revoked.
4. Health & Fitness Become Key Talking Points
At 59, Harris has emphasized her health as a campaign advantage, particularly after Biden’s withdrawal from the race due to age concerns. A White House memo stated that Harris “possesses the physical and mental resilience required to execute the duties of the Presidency.” Meanwhile, Trump (78) faced renewed scrutiny over his speech patterns and cognitive abilities.
5. Trump Doubles Down on Anti-Immigration Rhetoric
Trump continues to push a hardline stance on immigration, making controversial remarks about migrants. He pledged to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for mass deportation and called for the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of killing US citizens. Studies, however, show undocumented immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens.
6. Bob Woodward’s New Book Paints Trump in Controversial Light
Veteran journalist Bob Woodward’s latest book, War, alleges Trump maintained close contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin after leaving office and even sent pandemic-era virus-testing machines to Russia. While Trump’s team has denied the claims, the book features insights from former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, who calls Trump “fascist to the core.”
Conclusion
With just 23 days left before the election, both campaigns are in overdrive. Harris is ramping up media engagement and focusing on key demographics, while Trump is doubling down on controversial policies and media attacks. Stay tuned for more updates as the race to November 5 intensifies.