The race for the White House remained essentially a dead heat on Saturday — with 10 days to go until Election Day.
Vice President Kamala Harris was headed to Michigan to campaign with former first lady Michelle Obama. Former President Donald Trump, who left his supporters waiting for three hours Friday night, is also expected to campaign in the crucial swing state as well.
Latest Developments
Oct 26, 10:16 PM
Vance asked by pastor to keep things ‘respectful’ when talking about Harris during town hall
Vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance was invited to a town hall by Harrisburg pastor Rev. Joshua C. Robertson, who wrote an op-ed titled “I’m a black pastor. Here’s why I’m not endorsing Kamala Harris.”
Speaking at the “Black Pastors United for Education” town hall, Vance engaged in an in-depth conversation about education issues and how Black children are particularly impacted.
Although the conversation focused mostly on education, and Vance mentioned the use of school vouchers and choice, he did not provide any other specific policy on how to better address the academic gaps that are being seen in schools and impacting Black children.
“The evidence that I’ve seen, again, I’m not an expert, but the evidence that I’ve seen suggests that school choice actually improves the quality of both the private schools and the public schools,” Vance said to a room of mostly Black voters.
“I think school choice is part of but not the whole solution, but I think the rest of the solution is going to come from a combination of, hopefully, federal, state and local policymakers trying to solve this problem.”
Vance said it’s important for people to remember not to take the Black vote for granted.
“And again, I know I’m speaking to a lot of Black voters in the room, I think it’s important for people to know that they can’t take your vote for granted,” Vance said. “And that is the way I think that we’re going to get school choice, is the people who support school choice start withholding their votes from politicians who refuse to do what the people want to do.”
Toward the end of the town hall, Rev. Robertson and Vance exchanged awkward words when the Ohio senator criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Vance’s comments led Robertson to check him.
Vance falsely claimed that under the Biden administration, a federal program emerged where if school districts didn’t allow transgender females to participate in girls’ sports, the school would see a reduction of their free and reduced lunch money.
“But even if you disagree with me, I think that it is such a terrible thing to take food out of the mouths of poor children because they don’t do what the Biden-Harris administration wants them to do. We got to do better. We’ve got to be willing to say, you live your conscience,” Vance said.
This led Rev. Robertson to ask Vance to keep things “respectful.”
“I live my conscience, but can we all agree that poor kids ought to go to school with full bellies? That is simple, common sense that I’d like to get back to. But here’s the here’s one thing I will say, though, Senator Vance, with all due respect, please, Harris and Biden are striving to make America the best country that they possibly can,” Robertson said.
“And up until this point, we haven’t said anything about the opposing. And I think we should keep it respectful because I believe that those people are doing the very best they can to serve the American people.”
-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie
Oct 26, 9:21 PM
Trump reminisces about campaign era during Pennsylvania rally, ‘I will never forget it’
A subdued former President Donald Trump acknowledged the end of an era as he closed his hourlong remarks to hundreds of students at Penn State University on Saturday — after the rally kicked off nearly two hours late.
“It’s coming to an end in one way. It’s sad,” Trump said. “In another way, it’s beautiful. I think it’s going to come to a very successful end. And then a new period begins. And that’s the next four years where we’re going to make our country so incredible, and we’re going to do it so fast.”
Trump added, “But there’ll never be rallies like this. They’ll never be — in four years, there’ll be somebody coming in and they’ll call for a rally, and they’ll have 200 or 300 people.”
In an apparent approach to court young men, Trump invited the Nittany Lion wrestling team on stage to celebrate their recent championship.
In his remarks, Trump also continued to bash Beyoncé’s appearance at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday evening.
“Beyoncé got out and said, ‘Hello ladies and gentlemen. I would like to endorse her, what’s her name? What’s her name? What is her name again? Oh, I’m going to endorse her.’ They just don’t get it,” Trump said.
-ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh, Lalee Ibssa and Soorin Kim
Oct 26, 7:51 PM
Harris, Whitmer share beers after Michigan rally
After her rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris stopped at a bar with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The pair shook hands with bargoers, then ordered a beer and sat down.
Asked what she wanted to drink, Harris, said, “I am having what she’s having,” laughing and pointing to Whitmer.
Whitmer said the beer they ordered was Oberon, brewed in Kalamazoo.
-ABC News’ Will McDuffie, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim and Fritz Farrow
Oct 26, 7:51 PM
Walz rallies on remote Navajo Nation land in AZ
Gov. Tim Walz delivered remarks at a “Native Americans for Harris-Walz” get-out-the-early-vote rally in Window Rock, Arizona, on Saturday afternoon– a remote location on the Navajo Nation.
Walz’s visit marks the first time a candidate on the presidential ticket has gone to Navajo Nation this cycle, according to the campaign.
“We’re here because we’re not taking any vote for granted, and we’re here to show respect to the Navajo Nation and earn your vote. Now I’ll tell you we’re running like everything’s on the line, because everything’s on the line,” he said.
Walz said that given the closeness of this election, especially in the battleground state of Arizona, Native votes may really tip the scales for the Democratic ticket.
“I think, probably, that we win the whole damn thing because of the work that was done here, the work that’s done on the nation, and we put Kamala Harris in the White House,” Walz said.
Walz claimed that Donald Trump did not give Native Americans support in office and specifically blasted Trump for his gathering with families of Navajo war veterans at the White House in 2017.
The event occurred in front of an image of Andrew Jackson, the president who signed legislation that eventually led to the “Trail of Tears.”
“I don’t know if he knows his history well enough to know what he was doing, but I damn sure guarantee you the people around him knew the insult they were throwing to Indian country by making those heroes stand in front of that portrait,” Walz said.
Walz highlighted how his and Harris’ economic policies would boost Tribal entrepreneurs and businesses and better their health care options.
“I want to be clear and make sure you hear it and that the country hears it. Kamala Harris and I recognize the promises this country has been made to indigenous peoples. We will safeguard and strengthen the bonds between our nations and uphold our trust and treaty obligations,” he said.
-ABC News’ Isabella Murray
Oct 26, 6:37 PM
NYC mayor says police prepared to keep Trump MSG rally safe
Mayor Eric Adams and multiple NYPD officials briefed reporters Saturday on the security posture ahead of former President Trump’s rally tomorrow at Madison Square Garden.
Adams said New Yorkers should expect a “large police presence” around MSG, including “protections you will see, and many you won’t see.”
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner and NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell told reporters officials are expecting protests and that there will be designated areas for people to lawfully exercise their First Amendment rights.
The police will begin their security preparations after Friday night’s Rangers game.
“You will see a heavy uniformed presence around the Garden, you’ll see heavy-weapons teams, counter-terror, aviation… blocker vehicles and many more,” Chell said.
Speaking to potential protesters, Adams said no one should “come to our city to try to cause problems.”
-ABC News’ Matt Foster
Oct 26, 6:30 PM
Harris touts future of America, warns of national abortion ban, rallies Gen Z
After receiving a three-minute ovation following an introduction from Michelle Obama at Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris touted her history and plans for the future if elected.
“We are here as community as coalition builders, because we love our country,” she said.
At one point Harris’ speech was interrupted by a heckler who was protesting the Israel-Gaza war, but that person was drowned out by the crowd. Harris addressed the heckler’s concerns.
“On the topic of Gaza, we need to end that war. We need to end that war and bring the hostages home, but now I’m talking about 2024,” Harris said.
The vice president spoke about many of her policies including one that would allow Medicare to pay for home health care for senior citizens.
“A lot of people right now living in what we call the sandwich generation, [those] who are taking care of your kids while you’re taking care of your parents. That’s a lot,” she said.
Harris picked up the conversation on reproductive rights and noted that one in three women live in a state with restrictive abortion bans.
“Donald Trump still refuses to even acknowledge the pain and suffering he has caused. He insists that … everybody wanted Roe V. Wade to be overturned. Come on. Everyone wanted this?” Harris said.
“Women are being denied care during miscarriages, some only being treated once they develop sepsis. They didn’t want this. Couples just trying to grow their family who have been cut off from IVF treatments. They didn’t want this.”
Harris addressed Gen Z voters talking about their fears and struggles living in a world with gun violence, reduced reproductive rights and dangers of climate change.
“All these issues are not theoretical. They’re not political. They’re your lived experience. And I want to tell you I see you, and I see your power,” she said.
Oct 26, 5:46 PM
Michelle Obama gets roaring ovation as she touts Harris
Former first lady Michelle Obama took the stage at Kalamazoo, Michigan, to a roaring ovation before introducing the vice president.
Obama, in her first campaign appearance since the DNC, spoke about Harris’ mature temperament and history of working for all Americans.
“Michigan, do not buy into the lie that we do not understand who Kamala is or what she stands for,” she said.
“Take it from me, I know good people,” Obama said.
She questioned “why on Earth this race is even close,” but contended that Kamala has shown she is ready for the job.
“The real question is, are we ready for this moment?” Obama said.
The former first lady said she was angry at the indifference shown to Donald Trump over his history of division, bias and lack of care for democracy.
“Some folks think he’s funny. That’s how he got elected the first time. Folks gave him a pass and rolled the dice, betting that he couldn’t possibly be that bad,” she said.
“Nothing this man says or does is funny in any way,” Obama later added.
The former first lady addressed the men in the crowd when talking about the stakes of women’s health and reproductive rights if Trump wins.
She talked about the loss that many women have seen in the last three years through the loss of reproductive care following the Dobbs decision and the dangers if Trump pushes for more restrictions.
“Your girlfriend could be the one in legal jeopardy if she needs a pill from out-of-state or overseas, or if she has to travel across state lines because the clinic closed up. Your wife or mother could be the ones at higher risk of dying from undiagnosed cervical cancer because they have no access to regular gynecological care. Your daughter could be the one to terrified to call the doctor if she’s bleeding during an unexpected pregnancy,” she said.
“So fellas, before you cast your vote, ask yourselves, what side of history do you want to be on?” Obama later added.
Oct 26, 4:46 PM
Trump slams Beyoncé, claims support of Muslims
Former President Donald Trump took the stage in Novi, Michigan, on Saturday where he promptly attacked Beyonce’s guest appearance at Vice President Kamala Harris’ rally Friday night in Texas and bashed the musician for not performing.
“So Beyoncé went out and spoke for a couple of minutes, and then left, and the place went crazy,” he said before falsely claiming the crowd booed.
Trump attempted to encourage his supporters to vote early, but gave mixed messages.
“The whole thing is–You just have one day voting. Voter ID, paper ballots, proof that you’re a citizen of the United States, please. And you know what? You had no problems,” Trump said.
Trump, who proposed a ban on Muslim immigrants and openly made anti-Muslim statements in the past, claimed he was gaining support from Muslims citing the recent endorsement from Hamtramck, Michigan, Mayor Amer Ghalib, who was in attendance, and others.
Trump continued his anti-immigrant slur calling America a “garbage can” for the world.
“I think of a lot of things when I’m up here that are on the stupid machine, isn’t it nice to have a president that doesn’t need a fricking teleprompter?” Trump said.
-ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh, Lalee Ibssa and Soo Rin Kim
Oct 26, 4:21 PM
Harris talks about reproductive care with Michigan doctors
Vice President Kamala Harris visited a local doctor’s office in Portage, Michigan, to spotlight reproductive rights before her rally in Kalamazoo on Saturday.
Harris gave remarks and heard from health care providers and medical students while there, thanking and noting that because of the Dobbs decision, America is in a “health care crisis.”
Harris went on to ask questions of the attendees who shared their thoughts on a possible national abortion ban under former President Donald Trump.
“We represent not only a safety net for our region here in the Midwest, but over the last 18 months, we’ve seen an influx of patients that are coming, particularly from the south and the Southeast because of care deserts and already restrictive abortion bans,” Dr. Ashley Sanderson said.
-ABC News’ Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow and Will McDuffie
Oct 26, 3:34 PM
Biden woos union members at Pittsburgh events
President Joe Biden hit the campaign trail in Pittsburgh on Saturday and courted union members.
Speaking at a union get-out-the-vote event hosted by LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America), Biden made the pitch to members that this is the “most important election of our lifetime” and drew a stark contrast between former President Donald Trump’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ stances on labor.
Biden sharply criticized Trump’s stance on labor, saying that it’s in the interest of labor unions to defeat him while also making the case that Harris has the back of middle-class Americans and union workers.
“He doesn’t give a damn about union workers or any workers for that matter. He views unions as getting in the way of the accumulation of wealth for individuals,” the president said.
Biden later went to the Allegheny County Labor Council Headquarters along with Sen. John Fetterman to greet and thank volunteers who were rallying.
The president walked in with pizza boxes for volunteers who clapped, kissed the hand of one volunteer and then took a selfie with another while Fetterman photobombed in the background.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart
