Election campaign in the US, DW: Harris is presented as an optimistic fighter, while Trump spreads gloomy prospects for the future

"It's good to be back in Pennsylvania" or "We love you, Arizona!": Kamala Harris and Donald Trump don't need to say anymore much to rousing cheers during their tours in the U.S. However, that's the only thing their performances have in common.

Harris worked alongside Joe Biden in the White House for nearly four years. In the election campaign, however, she presents herself as a discriminated person and it works well.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us," she shouts to the still-euphoric crowd, "but now comes what's worth it: we love to work hard."

Harris and her army of cheerleaders are working hard to win: that's how the Democrat presents herself. Optimistic and committed: to a future where women decide about their bodies, where all can afford childcare and take advantage of their opportunities.

Stronger anti-Trump tone

Harris doesn't use the word "joy" as often as he used to; she now presents herself as a practical, compassionate, approachable and humane woman. When her mother got cancer, for example, she took care of her, she says, before announcing that home care would be covered by health insurance in the future.

Trump, on the other hand, Harris says, only cares about himself. He prefers to instill fear and scare people than to do what real leaders do: solve problems.

Harris' tone toward Trump has grown increasingly harsh and personal in recent days. He is not a serious person, but his choice would have brutal and serious consequences, she says. He is "increasingly unstable" and detached from the role of President.

It refers to Trump's aggressive attacks on the Democratic Party and what he considers the "extreme left." This he says is the enemy from within, Trump said during his campaign, "the scumbag that hates our country, an enemy bigger than China and Russia".

But he said on Fox Business television that sick radical madmen could be brought under control very quickly, if necessary by the National Guard or the Army.

Using the military against one's own countrymen was once unthinkable in the US. Trump is applauded for this.

Victory with apocalyptic scenarios?

At a time when Harris is presenting America to her supporters as a land of great opportunity, Trump talks about a country in decline, plagued by Democrats who let millions and millions of criminal and insane immigrants into the country to destroy. America.

If Harris gets four more years, the whole country will become a refugee camp, he claims.

Trump threatens his political opponents with revenge and retribution, also because they allegedly manipulated justice to put him in prison. Instead, he promises his voters that November 5 will be the day of liberation.

If you look at the campaign, Harris and Trump seem to be talking about two different countries. Their supporters live in worlds that hardly communicate. Neither Trump nor Harris have the majority behind them.

The site is divided into two equal parts. Whatever the outcome of the elections, nothing will change in this./DW