We are six weeks away from the 2024 presidential election, and with that, The Emerald is starting a weekly countdown to give a short highlight of the recent events that are taking place in the world of politics. In this week’s update, Americans tuned in for a heated debate, and Kamala Harris gained some key endorsements.
First (and only?) Harris-Trump Debate
On September 10, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off in their first debate together, moderated by ABC News. However, this may be the only debate for the rest of the election season, as Donald Trump does not want to debate again. “We just don’t think it’s necessary,” said Trump.
During this debate, the candidates discussed important issues like abortion, immigration, and the economy, trading many personal attacks along the way.
“People start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom,” remarked Harris.
Trump replied, “People don’t go to her rallies. There’s no need to go.”
Other moments from the debate included Trump saying he had “concepts of a plan” instead of an actual plan when asked about health care, and Harris mentioning that she and her running mate Tim Walz own guns, in relation to gun control. However, one of the most memorable moments of the debate was Donald Trump’s quote about immigration.
“They’re Eating the Cats”
Immigration took the center stage on the September 10 debate when Donald Trump claimed that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were “eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats.”
Although false, this claim has brought attention and disorder to the community of Springfield, Ohio. After the debates, Springfield City Hall and two schools in the city were targeted with bomb threats. Springfield, Ohio’s mayor, Rob Rue, mentioned that “it would be helpful if they understood the weight of their words and how they could harm a community like ours.”
Music Stars Endorse Harris
Just after the debate ended, Kamala Harris received an endorsement from pop sensation Taylor Swift. On Instagram, Swift described Harris as a “steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.” She ended her post with the words “Childless Cat Lady,” which referenced Trump’s running mate JD Vance’s words in a 2021 interview. In the first 24 hours after Swift’s post, over 400,000 people visited the website vote.gov through the link she provided.
On September 17, Harris also received endorsements from Billie Eilish and Finneas, two more music stars. “We are voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they are fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet, and our democracy,” Eilish announced on Instagram.
However, Donald Trump has recently gained celebrity endorsements as well. Among them are Bryce Hall, a social media star, and Billy Ray Cyrus, a country music singer and father of Miley Cyrus.
Come back next week for new updates as we get closer to Election Day!
