Trump Targets Harris’s Appearance in Latest Campaign Jab: ‘I’m a Better Looking Person’
By Jake Beardslee ·
August 18, 2024
Former President Donald Trump took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on Saturday, criticizing both her appearance and policies. Angela Wilhelm/Citizen Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Despite advice from Republican allies to focus on policy differences, Trump made personal comments about Harris's looks while also addressing key issues such as energy and the economy. Antranik Tavitian/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
"I am much better looking than her," Trump declared to his supporters, referring to Harris. "I'm a better-looking person than Kamala." He also questioned the authenticity of Harris's recent Time magazine cover, suggesting that a sketch artist was used due to unflattering photographs. Joe Rondone/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
Trump's remarks extended beyond personal attacks, touching on policy matters significant to Pennsylvania voters. He criticized Harris's stance on fracking, an important economic issue in the state. Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
"You do know she's against this whole energy thing that you have going, which is by far the most important thing you have from an economic standpoint, a job standpoint," Trump stated.
He added, "She's vowed that she will ban fracking. Pennsylvania is going to always be fracking because we desperately need the energy and we desperately need the jobs." Angela Wilhelm/Citizen Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
The former president also targeted Harris's economic plan, labeling it as socialist. "After causing catastrophic inflation, Comrade Kamala announced that she wants to institute socialist price controls," Trump said, drawing comparisons to Venezuela and the Soviet Union. Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
In response to Trump's rally, the Harris campaign issued a statement, calling it "another rally, same old show."
Campaign spokesperson Joseph Costello said, "Donald Trump can't sell his dangerous Project 2025 agenda to raise taxes on working families by $3,900, terminate the Affordable Care Act, and rip away our freedoms, so he resorts to lies, name-calling, and confused rants." Vanessa Abbitt/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
As the battle for Pennsylvania's crucial 19 Electoral College votes intensifies, recent polling from The Hill and Decision Desk HQ show Harris leading Trump by a narrow margin of 0.8 percentage points in the state. Antranik Tavitian/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
