Barack and Michelle Obama Join Forces with Harris as Elon Musk Hits the Campaign Trail for Trump

WASHINGTON — With just 18 days remaining until Election Day, presidential candidates and their supporters are mobilizing in key battleground states where early voting has commenced. This strategic push includes interviews aimed at engaging specific voter demographics.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, will campaign in Georgia with former President Barack Obama next Thursday, marking a key stop as early voting is already underway there. She will then head to Michigan, joined by former First Lady Michelle Obama, where early voting begins on October 26.

Meanwhile, Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, made an appearance on the Rich Eisen podcast Friday, discussing the upcoming NFL matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, offering listeners a blend of sports analysis and political messaging.

In the Republican camp, former President Donald Trump has enlisted tech mogul Elon Musk to bolster his campaign efforts. The CEO of Tesla and owner of X, previously known as Twitter, has actively participated in Trump rallies and conducted a recent town hall meeting in Pennsylvania, with further events slated in the days to come.

During the town hall, Musk expressed his pro-immigrant stance while calling for a careful approach to immigration policy. His financial support for Trump’s reelection campaign has reached around $75 million as reported in recent filings.

On Thursday evening, Trump attended the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a high-profile charity event benefiting Catholic charities in New York. Candidates traditionally participate in this light-hearted roast before the election. Harris opted to campaign instead in Wisconsin but sent a video message, which Trump’s campaign used to criticize her absence. They described her as “not funny” and suggested she avoided potential ridicule from Trump.

Historically, it’s noteworthy that the only presidential candidate to forgo this event was Walter Mondale, who intentionally skipped his appearance, while some years did not extend invitations to candidates at all.

Pope Francis has voiced discontent with both leading candidates, declaring that their positions do not align with pro-life values. In response, Harris’ spokesperson labeled Trump’s performance at the dinner as “unstable,” asserting he struggled to connect with the audience.

Trump, on friendly conservative platforms like “PBD Podcast,” reiterated comments regarding Harris’ racial background, igniting criticism for his pattern of remarks. His media engagements have largely focused on conservative outlets, steering clear of traditional media interviews such as CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

In a recent “Fox & Friends” appearance, Trump labeled Harris a “Marxist” while contesting her claims of his instability, referring to himself as the “most stable human being.” He articulated his education policy views, suggesting that federal funding should be withheld from public schools addressing slavery in their curriculums.

As Trump seeks to improve his appeal among women voters—a demographic where Harris currently leads—he attributes his support to factors beyond contentious issues like abortion. Trump highlights his administration’s influence on the Supreme Court regarding abortion rights as a significant aspect of his campaign message.

Looking ahead, both campaigns are set for a packed weekend. Harris will visit Detroit on Saturday before continuing to Atlanta for a rally featuring R&B artist Usher, focusing on the importance of early voting. Meanwhile, Walz will attend events in Chicago and Omaha.

Trump will gather support at a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, followed by a town hall meeting in Lancaster. His running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, is also on the campaign trail in Wisconsin on Sunday.