With the U.S. presidential election just over two weeks away, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are intensifying their campaigns in key battleground states. On Sunday, Harris focused on mobilizing Black voters in Georgia by visiting two churches, while Trump took a more unconventional approach at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, where he mocked Harris’s claims about her past employment at the fast-food chain.
Harris celebrated her 60th birthday by attending services at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest and Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro. Accompanied by music legend Stevie Wonder, who performed “Happy Birthday” for her, Harris emphasized the importance of unity and compassion in her speeches. She urged congregants to reject divisive rhetoric and encouraged them to participate in early voting as part of the “Souls to the Polls” initiative, which aims to increase voter turnout among Black communities.
In contrast, Trump donned a black and yellow apron at a McDonald’s in Feasterville-Trevose, where he cooked french fries and served customers through the drive-thru. He claimed that his visit was partly a jab at Harris, asserting that she never actually worked at McDonald’s despite her assertions. Trump’s lighthearted antics drew thousands of onlookers, and he expressed enjoyment in his role behind the fryer, stating it was something he had always wanted to do.
The exchanges between the candidates highlighted their contrasting campaign strategies. While Harris focused on community engagement and addressing issues important to voters, Trump utilized humor and spectacle to draw attention. Trump’s spokesperson criticized Harris’s background claims as desperate, while Harris’s team pointed out Trump’s lack of understanding of working-class experiences.
As both candidates continue their efforts to sway voters ahead of the November 5 election, they are acutely aware of the significance of early voting and the need to energize their respective bases in critical states like Georgia and Pennsylvania.
