Donald Trump took to the stage in Asheville, North Carolina, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, to unleash a tirade of personal and policy based attacks on his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris. The former president seems to be channeling his inner stand up comedian, hoping that a flurry of barbed jabs might revive his plummeting poll numbers.
Some of Trump’s own supporters are reportedly cringing at his latest antics. According to insiders, a few of Trump’s loyalists, donors, and advisers have been whispering about the need for a shift in strategy. Instead of focusing on Harris’ intellect or, in his view, lack thereof, they argue that he should zero in on what they see as the failed policies Harris has championed.
In his Asheville address, Trump made an effort to engage more deeply with policy issues. However, old habits die hard. He couldn’t resist tossing in personal barbs, calling Harris “stupid” and likening her laugh to a cackle, suggesting that it’s the laugh of someone with “some big problems.”
Since Kamala Harris emerged as the Democratic candidate following Joe Biden’s exit from the race, she’s been shaking things up. Polls show her narrowing the gap with Trump, and in some cases, surpassing him. Trump’s reaction? Double down on the insults and stir the pot with accusations that Harris has only recently embraced her Black identity.
Some of Trump’s allies are reportedly less than thrilled with his approach. Bill Bean, a major Republican donor, voiced his indifference to Harris’ chosen identity. Instead, Bean and others suggest focusing on Harris’s policy record rather than her background —wise words often easier said than done when dealing with a man like Trump.
During his speech, Trump took the opportunity to outline his own policies. He promised to open up federal lands to drilling and simplify the permitting process for pipelines, hoping to tackle consumer prices and cut energy costs in half within 12 to 18 months. He didn’t delve into specifics, leaving it as open ended as a market vendor’s promise of “fresh” produce, which often requires a bit of trust.
Trump also took aim at Harris’s stance on fracking, accusing her of supporting a ban. For those not well versed in U.S. energy politics, think of it as a local politician decrying the use of traditional cooking methods in favor of newer, potentially controversial techniques. Harris’s campaign countered, stating she no longer supports such a ban—a bit like saying you’ve given up on a certain dish after it’s been the subject of much debate.
In a moment that felt more like an audition for a future cabinet position, Trump brought financier Scott Bessent on stage. He lavished praise on Bessent, who is rumored to be a contender for treasury secretary should Trump win.
Meanwhile, Harris’s campaign director, Michael Tyler, accused Trump of neglecting the middle class by opposing union protections and supporting corporate tax cuts. On Friday, Harris will head to North Carolina to outline her economic policy plans, which aim to “lower costs for middle class families and tackle corporate price-gouging.” It’s as if she’s planning a grand feast to counterbalance Trump’s somewhat haphazardly prepared buffet of promises.
According to Real Clear Politics, Trump still holds a slim lead in North Carolina, though Harris is closing in fast. This shift in dynamics is a far cry from the situation a month ago, when Trump seemed to have the state firmly in his grasp, with Republican attention drifting toward traditionally Democratic strongholds like Minnesota and Virginia. It’s as if the political winds have changed, and the once-dominant storm is now a breeze trying to stay afloat.
