Trump hands out french fries, Harris visits Georgia churches
ATLANTA/PHILADELPHIA—With the US presidential election just over two weeks away, Democrat Kamala Harris visited two churches on Sunday while her Republican rival, Donald Trump, visited another kind of American temple: a McDonald’s, where he again accused Harris of lying about having previously worked at the fast-food chain.
Both candidates were scrambling for votes in the most competitive states, with Harris, the US vice president, appealing to early voters in Georgia and Trump, the former president, campaigning in Pennsylvania ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
Harris highlighted the heroism of those who responded to Hurricane “Helene,” which caused deaths and destruction in Florida earlier this month. She drew a contrast between her vision for America and the harsh rhetoric of the current political climate, although she did not mention Trump by name.
“At this point across our nation, what we do see are some trying to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos,” said the vice president, who—along with her political allies—have repeatedly branded Trump as a threat to US democracy.
Trump and his supporters blame such rhetoric for the twice failed assassination of the former president.
‘Kindness, love’
Kamala told thousands of congregants at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, in Stonecrest, Georgia, that some measured the strength of a leader as “who you beat down” instead of being guided by “kindness and love.”
She urged congregants to vote for a more compassionate future.
Harris was more direct in an interview with MSNBC when asked about Trump’s comments at an earlier rally in Pennsylvania in which he called her a “shit vice president,” telling civil rights leader Al Sharpton: “The American people deserve so much better.”
At a McDonald’s in suburban Philadelphia, Trump removed his suit jacket, put on a black and yellow apron and cooked batches of french fries, something he said he had wanted to do “all my life.”
‘Unproven’
The former president dipped wire baskets of potatoes in sizzling oil before salting them and handing them out to some of his supporters through the drive-through window of the restaurant, which had been closed to the general public. Thousands of people lined the street opposite the restaurant to watch.
“I like this job,” said Trump, whose adoration for fast food has been well chronicled. “I’m having a lot of fun here.”
Trump has said the McDonald’s visit was intended in part as a jab at Harris, who says she worked at the fast-food chain during her college years in California.
Trump says Harris never worked at McDonald’s after the vice president provided no evidence to back up her claim.
Fact check website Snopes.com has classified the story of Harris as “Unproven,” stating that “aside from Harris’ testimony itself, there is no evidence to independently verify the claim.”
Harris’ spokesperson Ian Sams said Trump’s stunt was a sign of the real-estate mogul’s desperation.
Harris marked her 60th birthday on Sunday while campaigning outside of Atlanta.
