During a lively rally on Saturday night in North Carolina, former President Donald Trump urged his supporters to turn out and vote early, proclaiming November 5 as “liberation day” for America. Addressing a crowd that had gathered late into the night, Trump described the U.S. as “an occupied country,” which he claimed would soon be free from control. “When you’re winning by a lot, you can still lose by a little,” he said, emphasizing the importance of every vote in a tightly contested election. Trump’s impassioned message resonated with his audience, who responded with loud cheers.
Despite initially suggesting he would cut his remarks short, Donald Trump spoke for roughly 90 minutes, a standard length for his campaign events. He announced plans to intensify his campaign efforts, with three rallies scheduled for Sunday and four more set for Monday. Donald Trump’s schedule underscores the high stakes of this election, with North Carolina being one of the many battleground states Donald is focused on as he nears the final stretch of his campaign.
Record-Breaking Early Voting in the U.S.
As the November election approaches, early voting numbers have hit unprecedented levels, with over 75 million Americans having already cast their ballots. Data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab shows that nearly 41 million voters took advantage of in-person early voting, while more than 34 million opted to vote by mail. The surge in early voting reflects a deeply engaged electorate amid one of the most contentious elections in recent history.
Political analysts view this early turnout as an indicator of the election’s intensity. Both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, have launched relentless campaigns across key swing states, emphasizing the importance of voter turnout. As Trump and Harris rally voters in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, experts say this early participation could be a decisive factor in an election where every vote counts.
Donald Trump Continues Swing State Tour, Targeting North Carolina Voters
Trump’s Saturday rally marked the end of a high-energy day of campaigning, where he continued his tour across pivotal swing states. Addressing thousands of supporters in North Carolina, Trump boasted about the record-breaking attendance at his rallies, declaring them “the biggest rallies in the history of any country.” His speech was filled with attacks on media outlets, which he branded as “fake news,” and he repeatedly criticized Harris as a “liar” over her positions on issues like in-vitro fertilization.
Donald Trump also responded to claims made by the Harris campaign regarding “Project 2025,” a conservative government overhaul document supported by former Trump administration officials. While Harris’s team has pointed to the document as evidence of Trump’s extreme agenda, Trump dismissed the document, stating, “I’ve never read it, I don’t want to read it.” Donald Trump’s deflection underscored his focus on portraying Harris as out of touch with American values, while he reinforced his promises to “end inflation” and “stop the massive invasion of criminals into our country.”
Harris and Trump Compete for North Carolina, With Harris Making a Surprise SNL Appearance
In a final push to appeal to undecided voters, Harris also held a rally in North Carolina, where she criticized Donald Trump as “unstable” and “obsessed with revenge.” Addressing supporters in Charlotte, she presented herself as a unifying candidate, promising to bring opponents “a seat at the table” rather than treating them as adversaries. Harris outlined her plans to prioritize affordable housing, lower grocery costs, and implement a tax cut for over 100 million Americans.
To further boost her visibility, Harris made a guest appearance on the popular comedy show Saturday Night Live, performing in a humorous sketch with Maya Rudolph. The playful segment, filled with puns on her name, delighted the live audience and brought Harris’s candidacy into the homes of millions. This lighthearted moment contrasts sharply with the tone of the campaign trail, where both candidates have escalated their attacks as polling day nears. With the race in North Carolina too close to call, Harris and Trump are making every effort to secure this crucial state in their final appeals.