Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump as "unhinged" and a potential fascist, referencing John Kelly's comments about him. As the 2024 presidential race tightens, Harris aims to attract independent voters and disaffected Republicans, contrasting her current negative campaign against Trump with earlier optimistic messaging. Trump's response included dismissive remarks about Harris, as both candidates ramp up their rhetoric ahead of the election.

On Wednesday afternoon, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a pointed critique of her Republican presidential opponent, Donald Trump, from the front of the vice-presidential residence in Washington, D.C. Harris characterized Trump as "increasingly unhinged and unstable," referencing comments made by John Kelly, the former White House Chief of Staff, during a New York Times interview.

She quoted Kelly's assertion that Trump fits the general definition of a fascist and mentioned that he had expressed admiration for Hitler on multiple occasions. Harris argued that her opponent seeks "unchecked power" and, during a CNN town hall, she was asked directly if she considered him a fascist. Her response was unequivocal: "Yes, I do."

In reaction to her statements, Trump took to X and Truth Social shortly after the town hall concluded, claiming that Harris’s remarks indicated she was losing ground. He accused her of "increasingly raising her rhetoric," and suggested that she was "going so far as to call me Adolf Hitler, and anything else that comes to her warped mind."

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, particularly in such a close and competitive environment, candidates often resort to negative campaigning. Such tactics are typically effective in mobilizing supporters and undermining opposing campaigns. However, Harris’s aggressive stance toward Trump contrasts with the more optimistic messaging that characterized the early phase of her campaign.

While she previously warned at the Democratic convention of the dangers of a Trump presidency devoid of guardrails, she largely distanced herself from President Joe Biden's central campaign message that portrayed Trump as an existential threat to American democracy. According to political strategist Matt Bennett from the centrist Democratic group Third Way, Harris’s recent shift to amplify Kelly's stark portrayal of Trump as an authoritarian reflects a tactical imperative: “Everything she does now is tactical. The imperative was to make sure as many voters as possible know about what Kelly said.”

Harris's latest comments follow a strategic effort by her campaign to engage independent voters and moderate Republicans who might be inclined to support the Democratic ticket. Polls indicate that the race is extremely close, with neither candidate establishing a significant lead in key battleground states. In suburbs surrounding major cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Phoenix, many college-educated professionals have traditionally aligned with Republicans but are now expressing reservations about a Trump return to the White House.

Bennett articulated that Harris aims to build a broad coalition, appealing to disillusioned Republicans who may feel unable to vote for Trump again. Devynn DeVelasco, a 20-year-old independent from Nebraska, embodies this demographic. She is among those persuaded by the chorus of former Trump officials who now deem him unfit for office. While DeVelasco hopes some Republicans will rally behind Harris, she expresses concern about fatigue regarding ongoing criticisms of the former president. "When these reports about Kelly’s comments came out, I wasn't shocked; it didn't change much," she remarked.

Republican strategist Denise Grace Gitsham noted that voters have been inundated with similar critiques of Trump since 2016, suggesting that new allegations are unlikely to sway opinions. She stated, "If you're voting against Donald Trump because you don't like his personality, you're already a decided voter. But if you're someone who prioritizes policies over personality, then you're likely to favor the person under whom you felt best off while they were in the White House."

Both Harris and Trump have intensified their exchanges recently. During her tour of Midwest battleground states on Monday, Harris emphasized the potential consequences of a Trump presidency on various issues, including abortion rights, healthcare, the economy, and U.S. foreign policy. She is scheduled to hold a rally in Texas on Friday, a state she claims exemplifies the anti-abortion future that would unfold if Trump regains power. The following Tuesday, she will shift her focus to Washington, D.C., with a rally planned for the National Mall, where Trump previously spoke before his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol.

Trump has maintained a steady stream of attacks on Harris, labeling her "lazy" and "stupid" during a town hall in North Carolina, claiming that she only secured her party nomination due to her ethnicity and gender. He has also issued dire warnings, suggesting that "we may not have a country anymore" if Harris wins.

None of these remarks represent a significant departure for Trump, who has consistently attacked Democrats while sticking to his core messages on immigration, trade, and the economy. Meanwhile, Harris’s strategy to appeal to anti-Trump Republicans and independents carries inherent risks, as noted by strategist Bennett. He cautioned, "You are always shorting one thing to try to help promote something else. The candidate’s time and advertising are the two most precious commodities. How you allocate those matters."

For over eight years, Trump has been a polarizing figure in American politics, leading to firmly entrenched opinions among the electorate. Should anti-Trump sentiment propel Harris to victory on election day, her current strategic focus will have proven effective. Conversely, if her approach fails to resonate, rapid second-guessing is likely to follow.