“Are you feeling better than you did four years ago?”
This question was posed by Donald Trump during his recent campaign rallies held over the past week.
These rallies, combined with high-profile interviews in conservative media, seem to serve as Trump’s summary message to a deeply divided electorate as Election Day approaches.
Both President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have been presenting starkly different visions for the future, yet now, just a week before the election, both are trying to convey unnervingly similar messages.
Harris has been emphasizing that Trump aims to disrupt political norms, arguing that he views the January 6 insurrection favorably and wishes to ally with authoritarian figures globally. She seeks to sway a polarized electorate into believing that he employs state power to undermine his political adversaries.
In contrast, Trump has framed himself as someone intent on challenging political norms, similarly portraying the Jan. 6 incident in a positive light, and suggesting that he desires friendship with authoritarian regimes, including using federal power against his rivals.
The task is clear for both candidates: persuading the public that their perspective is the right one. For Trump, an additional challenge lies in staying on message.
In a series of rallies held in vital states such as Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina—each still very much in play—Trump aims to ground his policy proposals in relatable terms for the American voter.
However, his more detailed discussions often get overshadowed by tried-and-true provocations that elicit cheers from enormous crowds. Examples include disparaging Harris’ intelligence by calling her “stupid,” referring to the U.S. as “the trash of the world,” and asserting, without proof, that Harris is inebriated or on drugs. He also makes absurd comparisons about himself and makes comments threatening to jail his political opponents, alongside remarks about famed golfer Arnold Palmer.
A significant portion of Trump’s closing message revolves around illegal immigration, a hallmark of his campaign. His platforms include aiming for severe penalties for “immigrants who murder American citizens,” dissolving sanctuary cities, issuing an executive order to secure the southern border, eliminating federal benefits for illegal migrants, and launching mass deportations.
The Trump campaign has allocated over $4 million in recent days to advertisements connecting Harris to the issues at the southern border, emphasizing the importance of this point as they near the end of the campaign.
Besides immigration, Trump reminds voters of plans to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits, as well as pursuing missile defense systems akin to Israel’s Iron Dome. He aims to slash energy prices by half within his initial year—a promise many experts deem unrealistic—while proposing higher tariffs as leverage against foreign adversaries.
On Friday, Trump participated in a lengthy three-hour interview with Joe Rogan, a major podcaster known for his right-leaning audience.
This interview, which was heavily promoted by Trump and his followers, illustrated both his unconventional strategy for concluding his campaign and his tendency to prioritize his agenda.
Trump has a history of praising powerful figures, including leaders like Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. Recently, he referred to both as “tough and smart.” During his chat with Rogan, he also labeled Chinese President Xi Jinping as “amazing.”
Rogan responded by clarifying that while such leadership traits might exist, it doesn’t excuse their malice or danger.
Trump countered by drawing parallels between these leaders and unspecified American leaders, asserting, “We also have evil people in our country.”
Additionally, at an October 22 rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania—home of Arnold Palmer—Trump’s comments about the golfer diverted attention from other crucial points he aimed to make.
However, advisors informed NBC News that such moments might not be detrimental for him. Trump’s reshaped Republican Party often favors personal insults and aggressive politics over substantive policy discussions.
When questioned about whether Trump’s closing message would shift, senior campaign advisor Daniel Alvarez stated that “Kamala has failed for four years and is dedicated to addressing our nation’s issues. Only President Donald J. Trump can do that. This encompasses inflation, borders, and the turmoil we’re witnessing at home and abroad.”
It’s worth noting that Trump has relied on misinformation in his final campaign messages. He claimed that 32,000 Haitian immigrants were “planted” in Springfield, Ohio, and spread the absurd rumor that they were devouring residents’ pets. This assertion has been thoroughly debunked, with the 32,000 figure also being inaccurate, according to CNN.
He also stated that “325,000 migrant children” have gone missing since Biden assumed office—a claim that is not true.
Additionally, Trump has claimed that countries like Congo have emptied their prisons to facilitate criminal entry through their southern borders—a statement directly contradicted by top officials from those nations.
Rick Wilson, a veteran Republican strategist behind the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, remarked that while Trump’s closing arguments could be pivotal, they may not resonate beyond his established support base, which Trump has not effectively cultivated.
“During a presidential election, there are compelling arguments worth supporting, as opposed to whimsical claims about pets being consumed,” said Wilson, emphasizing the distinction that Trump’s approach keeps him connected to the Republican base, yet fails as an effective closing strategy.
In stark contrast, Harris has conducted a more conventional presidential campaign, culminating in celebrity-studded rallies and inclusive messaging strategies. She is also preparing for a pivotal event on Tuesday, touted as her “closing argument,” in Washington, D.C.—the same site where Trump spoke before the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
Harris’ closing statements aim to promote a departure from Trump’s brand of extremism, directly linked to the January 6 events.
The focus and discipline exhibited by Harris’ campaign contrasts sharply with Trump’s typically disorganized rhetoric in his recent weeks on the campaign trail. His rallies have showcased a meandering ethos rather than a clear policy direction.
Political advisors have often sought to steer Trump toward specific topics, only to relent and allow him to direct the narrative as he prefers. This approach is often described as “Trump being Trump,” and while even those close to him acknowledge that it generally works, it has led him to be a former president who is once again on the brink of the White House.
This dynamic is particularly evident in Trump’s final speeches as he winds down his third presidential bid.
A notable example occurred during a rally at Madison Square Garden, an iconic venue in Manhattan that has always been a dream for Trump.
The event drew plenty of criticism from Trump’s opponents, particularly due to some speakers openly using offensive and racist comments. Trump’s hours-long speech followed over a dozen preliminary speakers, one of whom, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, insulted Puerto Rico with derogatory remarks. The Trump’s campaign quickly distanced itself from those comments.
“This joke does not reflect the beliefs of President Trump or his campaign,” stated senior advisor Daniel Alvarez shortly after the remarks were made.
Even though reactions to the inflammatory comments received more media attention than policy discussions, Trump declared the rally a significant part of his concluding message.
Trump shared a photo of the New York Post’s front page on social media the following day, humorously dubbed “MAGA Square Garden.”
