President Joe Biden cast an early vote in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, where he criticized Elon Musk’s recent election sweepstakes, calling it “totally inappropriate.” Biden’s remarks underscored both parties’ efforts to encourage voter turnout as Election Day looms. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris each campaigned vigorously, targeting key voting blocs across battleground states, as Musk faced legal scrutiny for his controversial sweepstakes, which promises $1 million to select registered voters in exchange for pledges supporting Republican platforms.
After voting, Biden engaged with voters at the polling station, accompanied by US Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is running for Senate. The president expressed optimism about Democrats’ chances in the upcoming election while taking the opportunity to denounce Trump’s recent rally, particularly the inflammatory remarks made by warm-up speakers. These speakers had made offensive comments about minority groups, which Biden decried as “embarrassing” and “beneath any president.” He also directed criticism at Musk’s election sweepstakes, spearheaded by Musk’s political action committee, America PAC.
America PAC’s sweepstakes, framed as an effort to boost free speech and gun rights, is offering $1 million to selected voters in swing states who sign an online pledge to support those values. However, this initiative has drawn sharp criticism and even legal action. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed a lawsuit against Musk and America PAC, alleging that the sweepstakes constitutes an “unlawful lottery” that lures individuals to provide personal information in exchange for a potential prize. The Department of Justice has also expressed concern, suggesting that Musk’s actions may violate federal laws that prohibit offering financial incentives to voters.
Meanwhile, the campaign trail saw both Trump and Harris focusing on their core constituencies. Trump worked to bolster his appeal to evangelical voters during an appearance at the National Faith Summit in Georgia, where he made overtures to Christian values but struggled to connect on religious topics. For instance, he referred to congregants as “an audience” and speculated on the preferred term between “pastor” and “minister.” Despite these perceived missteps, Trump doubled down on his claim that the United States needs to return to its religious roots, which he labeled as “the glue” holding the country together. He further criticized Democrats, alleging that they undervalue faith in society.
The former president also appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where he defended his stance on economic policy, arguing that the Biden administration’s Chips Act—a measure aimed at encouraging domestic semiconductor manufacturing—was a wasteful expenditure. Instead, Trump suggested high tariffs would have been a better strategy to incentivize companies to manufacture in the United States. Trump’s comments fueled Harris’s campaign messaging, as she aimed to underscore her commitment to creating manufacturing jobs domestically. During her visit to a semiconductor facility in Michigan, Harris praised the Chips Act as a forward-looking investment that strengthens the United States’ technological edge, particularly against competition from China.
Harris has leaned heavily on union endorsements and targeted blue-collar voters in the so-called “Blue Wall” states—those crucial swing states in the Midwest and Northeast that played a significant role in prior elections. In Michigan, she visited a union training facility, where she highlighted her administration’s focus on economic mobility and job creation through partnerships with unions. Harris has consistently emphasized the role of organized labor in creating quality jobs, a message she reiterated by spotlighting her longstanding alliances with unions. She spoke about her efforts to help young men gain job skills and avoid the criminal justice system, stating that apprenticeships have been instrumental in that mission.
The race to secure minority support continued as Harris responded to inflammatory statements made at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, where a speaker disparaged Puerto Rico. Harris took the opportunity to highlight her history of advocating for Puerto Rican interests, referencing her senatorial efforts to support the island and her commitment to promoting economic development there. She expressed pride in having the endorsement of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, which she hopes will resonate with voters who care about representation for the island.
The contentious nature of the election has even drawn in Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Emhoff spoke to Jewish voters in Pittsburgh, where he condemned the offensive rhetoric at Trump’s rally, particularly given its occurrence on the anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of a vice president, has been vocal in denouncing Trump’s rhetoric, which he views as fostering anti-Semitism.
The final stretch of the campaign season has also brought legal challenges related to voter access. In Virginia, a federal judge blocked a program that aimed to purge certain voters from the rolls, citing that it likely violated a federal law that prohibits voter roll changes close to an election. Virginia officials filed an appeal with the US Supreme Court to reverse this ruling, arguing that blocking the purge would lead to administrative chaos and confuse voters. The outcome of this legal battle could impact voter turnout in the final days of the election.
With just days left, Biden, Harris, and Trump are navigating an intense landscape of rallies, legal battles, and controversies as they make their final pitches to voters. Each side is working to energize their base while facing scrutiny over the tactics and messages employed in their campaigns. As Election Day draws near, the campaigns are intensifying, with both Harris and Trump vying for the votes needed to secure victory.
