Kamala Harris’ campaign is set to launch a new television advertisement aiming to connect the vice president’s recent descriptions of Donald Trump—”unhinged,” “unstable,” and “unchecked”—to the potential policy consequences of his return to the presidency. The 30-second ad will air in battleground states, emphasizing that Trump would likely disregard limitations on presidential power. The campaign specifically highlights Project 2025, a conservative initiative that Trump has distanced himself from amid mounting criticism. Polling suggests that this right-wing proposal, developed by a think tank, has garnered significant unpopularity among voters, which the Democrats seek to capitalize on.
The Harris campaign has been increasingly vocal about questioning Trump’s mental health and capacity for office, raising concerns over his recent remarks and reluctance to share updated medical records. In recent media appearances, Harris posed pointed questions about what Trump might be trying to conceal regarding his health. While the Trump campaign defends itself by pointing out that a doctor provided a letter about Trump’s health a year ago, they still lack recent, comprehensive medical records. Additionally, Rep. Ronny Jackson, a former White House physician, has commented on Trump’s injuries from an assassination attempt.
Entitled “Total Power,” the new ad represents a strategic effort to portray Trump as unfit for office. Harris uses Trump’s own words and actions as evidence of his instability, including his comments about perceived enemies within. At her rallies, Harris has begun presenting compilations of Trump’s statements, reinforcing her characterization of him as increasingly unstable. Internal campaign research suggests that framing Trump as “unstable” compared to Harris effectively resonates with undecided voters, a crucial demographic as the election approaches.
The advertisement outlines alarming forecasts if Trump were to win a second term, claiming it would lead to increased grocery prices, cuts to essential social programs such as Social Security and Medicare, tax breaks for the wealthy, and potential risks to women’s health, particularly regarding abortion access. It concludes with a stark warning about the implications of another Trump presidency: “more unhinged, more unstable, and unchecked.” This ad is part of a larger Democratic media strategy, backed by a $370 million investment in paid advertising as the election nears.
In response to Harris’ campaign efforts, the Trump campaign has defended his style of straightforwardness, focusing on topics such as the economy and immigration. Trump’s representatives framed Harris’s claims of being “unhinged” as a reflection of her policies on border security and economics, asserting that her approach has jeopardized American safety and affordability. Brian Hughes, a senior advisor to Trump, criticized Harris’ strategies, suggesting that her economic and trade policies disadvantage American workers.
Additionally, the Harris campaign has recently targeted Trump’s vice presidential pick, J.D. Vance, labeling him as “extremist” and cautioning voters that he could be just one heartbeat away from the presidency should Trump win. This marks a distinct move by the Democratic ticket to address concerns surrounding the age and capability of Republican candidates through paid advertising, indicating a broader strategy of connecting Trump’s leadership to potential risks for the country’s future.
