Thousands assembled in Georgia, a pivotal battleground state, for a rally hosted by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who was accompanied by Bruce Springsteen, actor Samuel L. Jackson, entertainer Tyler Perry, and former US President Barack Obama.
Prior to Ms. Harris’ speech, film director Spike Lee cautioned the audience at the James R Hallford Stadium against being “bamboozled” into supporting Republican nominee Donald Trump.
“Donald Trump aims to be an American tyrant. He lacks an understanding of this country, its history, and what it truly means to be American,” Mr. Springsteen stated, urging the crowd to support Ms. Harris.
Mr. Obama, actively campaigning in swing states for Vice President Harris, remarked that Mr. Trump thought solely of himself. He insinuated that Mr. Trump was behaving like a confused old man and highlighted that Ms. Harris had worked at McDonald’s during her younger years.
“She worked at McDonald’s in college to cover her expenses. She didn’t pretend to work there when it was closed,” Mr. Obama remarked, referencing Mr. Trump’s recent appearance at the fast-food establishment.
According to her campaign, around 20,000 individuals attended the Georgia rally, marking it as Ms. Harris’ largest political gathering yet, surpassing the 17,000 who attended her event in Greensboro, North Carolina, earlier in September.
Barack Obama and Kamala Harris shared the stage at a campaign rally for the first time.
This rally represents the latest effort by the Harris campaign to leverage the support of celebrity figures to mobilize voters during the closing days of a competitive election race against Mr. Trump.
Tonight, she will be joined by Beyoncé in Houston.
Ms. Harris’ dynamic campaign saw a significant bump in polls following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race in late July. However, her lead has since diminished in national polls and disappeared in the critical battleground states essential for deciding the US election.
Actor Samuel L. Jackson spoke to the numerous attendees at the Georgia event.
Celebrity endorsements provide essential cultural significance to candidates, typically boosting campaign fundraising, rally attendance, and social media enthusiasm. For both Harris and Trump, these endorsements are part of a last-minute push to galvanize voters ahead of election day on November 5.
The rally last night also marked the first time Ms. Harris and Mr. Obama shared a campaign platform. Tomorrow, Ms. Harris is set to appear with Michelle Obama in Michigan, one of seven swing states projected to determine the election’s outcome.
Bruce Springsteen rallied the crowd to vote for Kamala Harris.
Recent polls in Georgia indicate a slight lead for Mr. Trump; however, Harris campaign officials express confidence that the state, along with neighboring North Carolina, remains competitive as November 5 approaches.
In 2020, Mr. Biden achieved an unexpected victory in Georgia, and Democrats secured two hard-fought Senate seats, gaining control of both houses of Congress for the first half of Mr. Biden’s presidency.
According to the secretary of state’s office, about 1.9 million residents have already voted in Georgia. Mr. Springsteen is also scheduled to appear with Mr. Obama in Philadelphia on Monday.
In 2016, Springsteen performed a three-song set at a rally in front of 20,000 supporters at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall for Hillary Clinton’s campaign on the eve of the election.
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In 2008, he played a seven-song set for tens of thousands in Philadelphia to encourage voter registration and support for Mr. Obama.
Notable celebrities endorsing Ms. Harris and her running mate Tim Walz include Taylor Swift, Pink, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Lizzo, and numerous others. Swift’s endorsement of Ms. Harris on Instagram in September has garnered over 11 million likes.
Conversely, Mr. Trump’s supporters from the entertainment sector include musicians Ted Nugent, Kid Rock, and Jason Aldean, wrestler Hulk Hogan, who spoke at this summer’s Republican National Convention, UFC President Dana White, actor Dennis Quaid, and TV personality Amber Rose.
