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Trump distributes french fries in Pennsylvania, and Harris makes swing-state pleas by visiting churches in Georgia

Amos Simanungkalit · 21 Oct 20245.7K Views

With the U.S. presidential election just two weeks away, Democrat Kamala Harris visited two churches on Sunday, while her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, made a stop at a McDonald's (NYSE:) and accused Harris of lying about her past work at the fast-food chain.

Both candidates are intensifying their efforts to secure votes in key battleground states. Harris, the U.S. vice president, focused on early voters in Georgia, while Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

During her visit to the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, Harris praised the bravery of those who responded to Hurricane Helene, which had caused devastation in Florida earlier this month. She contrasted her vision for America with the divisive rhetoric dominating the political landscape, although she refrained from mentioning Trump directly.

"We see some trying to deepen divisions, spread hate, sow fear, and create chaos," she told a congregation of thousands. She emphasized that true leadership should be based on "kindness and love" rather than on "who you beat down," urging the audience to vote for a more compassionate future.

In an interview with MSNBC, Harris responded more pointedly to Trump's earlier comments, where he referred to her as a "shit vice president." She stated, "The American people deserve so much better."

Meanwhile, at a McDonald's in suburban Philadelphia, Trump donned a black and yellow apron and cooked fries, claiming it was something he had always wanted to do. He enthusiastically dipped wire baskets of potatoes in hot oil, salted them, and handed them out to supporters at a drive-through window, while a large crowd gathered outside to watch.

"I like this job," said Trump, whose fondness for fast food is well known. "I'm having a lot of fun here." He claimed that his visit to McDonald's was partly aimed at mocking Harris, who has stated she worked at the chain during her college years in California. Trump alleged that she never worked there but has yet to provide evidence to support this claim.

Harris's spokesperson, Ian Sams, characterized Trump's stunt as a sign of desperation, asserting, "All he knows how to do is lie." He criticized Trump for being out of touch with the experiences of average workers, noting that the former president had been born into wealth.

The Harris campaign also highlighted Trump's opposition to raising the federal minimum wage and his support for policies that could hinder workers' legal claims against franchise owners violating minimum wage and overtime laws.

Harris, who celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday, connected her campaign to her roots in the Black church. At Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro, Georgia, music legend Stevie Wonder performed, singing "Higher Ground" and a rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song."

When asked about polls indicating waning enthusiasm for her among Black men—a traditionally reliable voting bloc for Democrats—Harris responded that she is actively working to earn their support. "The narrative about our support from Black men isn’t reflecting reality," she said. "They expect you to earn their vote just like any other demographic."

For Harris to replicate President Joe Biden's victories in Michigan and Georgia from 2020, she will need strong results in predominantly non-white cities like Detroit and Atlanta, along with their surrounding suburbs.

At a campaign event in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Trump acknowledged Harris's birthday, eliciting boos from his audience. "Happy birthday, and many more, and I mean it," he said, despite continuing to criticize her policies and speculating about potential cognitive issues.