Just a week before Election Day, Harris called on voters to “turn the page” on Trump, drawing stark contrasts between the former president’s chaotic legacy and her own vision for the future. The symbolic location underscored the stakes of the upcoming election, urging Americans to remember Trump’s actions during the Capitol riot and beyond.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the Ellipse outside the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29, 2024.Al Drago—Bloomberg/Getty Images"Donald Trump offers more chaos, more division, and policies that harm the many to benefit the few. I offer a different path," Harris declared during her 30-minute speech, positioning herself as a stable alternative to Trump’s “obsessive revenge politics.”A Battle Between Two Visions
Harris likened Trump to a “petty tyrant,” warning that his return would bring further instability. She criticized his support for military tribunals against political opponents and his intention to purge government workers he views as disloyal. Harris argued that Trump is seeking office not to solve national problems but to pursue personal vendettas. In contrast, she promised a presidency focused on practical solutions, highlighting her commitment to addressing healthcare, housing shortages, and economic inequality."Trump will come back with an enemies list," she said. "I’ll show up with a to-do list."The speech comes as early voting is in full swing across the U.S., with polls showing a tight race between the candidates. Trump’s campaign has spent the week managing backlash from controversial remarks made at a recent rally, while Harris contends with criticism from progressives over her support for sending weapons to Israel amid the conflict in Gaza. Protesters disrupted her speech multiple times, chanting "Stop the genocide!" and displaying banners opposing military aid to Israel before being escorted out by security.Building Alliances Across Party Lines
Harris has reached across the aisle, campaigning with former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and featuring GOP voters in her ads explaining why they’ve chosen her over Trump. She aims to persuade moderate Republicans disillusioned by Trump’s rhetoric to support her campaign.At the rally, Harris also outlined key policy initiatives: expanding Medicare to cover home care, reducing the cost of essentials like groceries, and cutting red tape for home builders to alleviate the housing crisis. However, Trump’s campaign was quick to attack her on policy grounds, blaming her for inflation and global conflicts during her time as vice president."Kamala’s been in office for over 1,300 days and has failed to deliver. Now she’s lying about her record because she has no real solutions," said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary. "Kamala broke it; Trump will fix it."Rallying Support Through Shared Purpose
Many Harris supporters at the Ellipse said their priority is not just electing Harris but preventing Trump from regaining the presidency. Gretchen McMullen, a retired Army veteran, emphasized her concerns about Trump’s threats to use the military against domestic opponents."The idea that soldiers could be turned on their own people terrifies me," McMullen said. "I want to show my granddaughter that I stood on the right side of history."Mitzi Maxwell, who traveled from Florida with her 88-year-old mother, said attending the rally was about reclaiming the location’s legacy. "We came to help erase the negativity of January 6," she said. "This is about restoring hope to a place marked by tragedy."As the election draws near, Harris’s speech framed the choice for voters: a return to Trump’s divisive leadership or a chance to forge a new path.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the Ellipse outside the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29, 2024.Al Drago—Bloomberg/Getty Images"Donald Trump offers more chaos, more division, and policies that harm the many to benefit the few. I offer a different path," Harris declared during her 30-minute speech, positioning herself as a stable alternative to Trump’s “obsessive revenge politics.”A Battle Between Two VisionsHarris likened Trump to a “petty tyrant,” warning that his return would bring further instability. She criticized his support for military tribunals against political opponents and his intention to purge government workers he views as disloyal. Harris argued that Trump is seeking office not to solve national problems but to pursue personal vendettas. In contrast, she promised a presidency focused on practical solutions, highlighting her commitment to addressing healthcare, housing shortages, and economic inequality."Trump will come back with an enemies list," she said. "I’ll show up with a to-do list."The speech comes as early voting is in full swing across the U.S., with polls showing a tight race between the candidates. Trump’s campaign has spent the week managing backlash from controversial remarks made at a recent rally, while Harris contends with criticism from progressives over her support for sending weapons to Israel amid the conflict in Gaza. Protesters disrupted her speech multiple times, chanting "Stop the genocide!" and displaying banners opposing military aid to Israel before being escorted out by security.Building Alliances Across Party Lines
Harris has reached across the aisle, campaigning with former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and featuring GOP voters in her ads explaining why they’ve chosen her over Trump. She aims to persuade moderate Republicans disillusioned by Trump’s rhetoric to support her campaign.At the rally, Harris also outlined key policy initiatives: expanding Medicare to cover home care, reducing the cost of essentials like groceries, and cutting red tape for home builders to alleviate the housing crisis. However, Trump’s campaign was quick to attack her on policy grounds, blaming her for inflation and global conflicts during her time as vice president."Kamala’s been in office for over 1,300 days and has failed to deliver. Now she’s lying about her record because she has no real solutions," said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary. "Kamala broke it; Trump will fix it."Rallying Support Through Shared Purpose
Many Harris supporters at the Ellipse said their priority is not just electing Harris but preventing Trump from regaining the presidency. Gretchen McMullen, a retired Army veteran, emphasized her concerns about Trump’s threats to use the military against domestic opponents."The idea that soldiers could be turned on their own people terrifies me," McMullen said. "I want to show my granddaughter that I stood on the right side of history."Mitzi Maxwell, who traveled from Florida with her 88-year-old mother, said attending the rally was about reclaiming the location’s legacy. "We came to help erase the negativity of January 6," she said. "This is about restoring hope to a place marked by tragedy."As the election draws near, Harris’s speech framed the choice for voters: a return to Trump’s divisive leadership or a chance to forge a new path.
