If you haven’t been keeping up with politics, Kamala Harris officially launched her 2024 presidential campaign after Joe Biden withdrew his bid for re-election and endorsed her in July 2024. She became the official Democratic Party nominee on August 5, 2024, following a five-day virtual roll call vote and selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate shortly after. Former president Donald Trump is the official Republican Party nominee, alongside running mate JD Vance.
So far, Harris’s campaign has focused on domestic issues similar to Biden’s previous campaign messaging, promoting policies such as abortion rights, LGBTQ+ protections, gun control, climate change action, and federal cannabis legalization — a tricky subject following her previous career as the DA of San Francisco prosecuting marijuana charges. She has also highlighted economic reforms, including a ban on grocery price gouging and capping prescription drug prices. In foreign policy, Harris advocates for continued military support to Ukraine and Israel.
Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign continues to focus on key themes including his economic agenda, focusing on reducing inflation, decreasing immigration and reviving U.S. manufacturing. He has also proposed lowering taxes on businesses and criticized the Biden administration’s economic policies. Unfortunately for him, his ongoing legal challenges, including 34 felony convictions, often take his spotlight. As of now, he remains focused on swing states ahead of his upcoming debate with Kamala Harris.
One of the striking differences between their campaigning so far is Harris’ significant successes with fundraising. Harris raised $361 million in August 2024, surpassing Donald Trump’s campaign contributions. Reports state that Trump has raised around $130 million in August, with his highest contribution count coming in after his guilty verdict at the end of May, amounting to $170 million for the month.
A key moment will be the debate between Harris and Trump on September 10, 2024 at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, which will be her first time debating the former president.
Here are five policies we expect will be discussed:
1. Economics
Harris: Proposes economic reforms, including raising the minimum wage, taxing corporations and improving small businesses.
Trump: Focuses on cutting taxes permanently, cutting energy prices, revitalizing U.S. manufacturing and, interestingly, creating a new government efficiency agency, headed by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
2. Abortion
Harris: A staunch defender of reproductive rights, Harris has made clear that if elected, she would work to codify Roe v. Wade into law. She has been one of the administration’s leading voices on this issue since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe.
Trump: His rhetoric on reproductive rights has swayed throughout his former presidency and current campaigning. While he has proudly declared that through his Supreme Court appointments he’s responsible for the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, he recently declared his opposition to a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution. Additionally, Trump has pledged to ensure that either health insurance companies or the government provide in vitro fertilization (IVF) at no cost.
3. Guns
Harris: Calls for further gun control reforms, including background checks and an assault weapons ban.
Trump: Defends gun rights, opposing restrictions and emphasizing Second Amendment protections. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, is under fire for describing the recent shooting at a high school in Georgia as a “fact of life.” He believes in increasing security at schools rather than limiting gun ownership. Harris’ campaign fired back, with running mate Governor Tim Walz calling him “pathetic,” continuing with “we can’t quit on our kids.”
4. Foreign Support
Harris: Backs military aid to Ukraine and Israel. She has faced recent criticism from some Democrats for her stance on Israel, with detractors arguing that her support for the country shows a lack of empathy toward the suffering in Gaza. Many believe her reluctance to push for a ceasefire with Biden has diminished the early optimism surrounding her campaign.
Trump: Remains rather silent about the topic, though rumors are swirling that he also supports Israel. At a high level, he focuses on prioritizing U.S. interests first.
5. Military Presence
Harris: Supports diplomatic solutions and strategic alliances like NATO but emphasizes military support for Israel and Ukraine.
Trump: Advocates for reducing U.S. foreign entanglements, focusing more on domestic defense.
