In Detroit, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed concerns that the Democratic Party may be overlooking Black voters during a town hall event featuring radio host Charlamagne tha God. Harris defended her record as a prosecutor and emphasized her policies targeting Black voters, while also describing former President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy.
Charlamagne proposed that Trump’s vision could be considered fascism, to which Harris agreed, saying, “Yeah, we can say that.” This discussion occurred at a significant point in the campaign, with polls indicating Harris is struggling to secure the level of support required from Black men to win the White House. Meanwhile, Trump has seemingly gained traction among Black voters, posing a concern for Democrats in a closely contested election.
This issue was highlighted by former President Barack Obama during remarks in Pittsburgh, where he noted a lack of enthusiasm for Harris, especially among Black men, attributing it partially to hesitation about voting for a woman.
In response to a caller questioning the Democratic Party’s focus on Black men despite Trump’s support from other demographics, Harris sidestepped, emphasizing the importance of reminding the public about the stakes involved in the election.
Harris attempted to counter misinformation regarding her record. She described accusations of scripting as a demonstration of her discipline and sought to clarify her efforts for the Black community, claiming they have been distorted by political rivals. She called out disinformation as one of her primary challenges, intended to mislead people about her accomplishments.
Harris highlighted her plans for economic support aimed at Black Americans, such as providing forgivable loans for entrepreneurs, tax incentives for small business startups, assistance for first-time homebuyers, enhanced Medicare benefits for home care, and tax credits for low- and middle-income families.
Harris addressed allegations against her record as district attorney in San Francisco, where she was accused of targeting Black men for prosecution. She refuted these claims, stating they were false and describing herself as the most progressive prosecutor in California on marijuana cases. Harris asserted she did not incarcerate individuals for simple possession of marijuana and pledged to work towards decriminalizing cannabis if elected president.
Lastly, Harris responded to criticisms from Trump regarding her engagement with the Black church by recounting her upbringing in the Black church, specifically her attendance at the 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland, California. She contrasted her understanding and involvement with the community against what she described as Trump’s opportunistic actions, including selling expensive items, implying these do not equate to a genuine connection with the Black community.