Michelle Obama, Harris rally Michigan as Trump courts Muslim vote

Harris, joined by Michelle Obama in Kalamazoo, aims to energise Democratic voters on healthcare, women’s rights

With the 2024 US presidential election nearing, Michigan has become a battleground for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, both rallying supporters in the state on Saturday.

Harris, joined by former First Lady Michelle Obama in Kalamazoo, aimed to energize Democratic voters, while Trump reached out to Muslim American voters in the Detroit suburb of Novi, vowing to bring Middle East peace and economic revival.

Michelle Obama, appearing alongside Harris for the first time this campaign season, delivered a powerful speech contrasting the vice president’s commitment to healthcare, women’s rights, and middle-class prosperity with Trump’s record.

"We see a double standard here,” Obama noted, calling on undecided voters to “snap out of whatever fog they’re in,” adding that Harris’s policies prioritize women’s health and economic stability over divisive rhetoric.

She criticized Trump’s handling of healthcare, particularly his vow to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, which she argued could devastate women’s healthcare options.

Harris, upon taking the stage, emphasised her vision of an inclusive America and urged voters to reject Trump’s approach to governance.

When interrupted by a protester chanting, “No more Gaza war,” she acknowledged the outcry, adding, “We must end that war,” then refocused on her message of “turning the page on fear and divisiveness.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s rally outside Detroit targeted Muslim Americans and auto industry workers.

Despite having previously banned travel from several Muslim-majority countries, Trump met with local imams, one of whom endorsed him on stage, advocating for his promise of peace in the Middle East.

"We ask Muslims to stand with President Trump because he promises peace," stated Imam Belal Alzuhairi from the Islamic Center of Detroit.

Trump also appealed to auto workers concerned over the industry's shift toward electric vehicles, promising economic resurgence and stability.

The race remains razor-thin in Michigan, with recent polls showing Harris and Trump nearly tied in voter support. This state, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, forms part of the Democrats’ “Blue Wall”—crucial states that could secure Harris’s path to the presidency.

Michigan’s recent adoption of early in-person voting has also intensified the race; as of Friday, 1.42 million registered voters in the state had already cast their ballots, most via absentee.

In addition to Michigan, Harris’s campaign has sought high-profile endorsements to galvanise support among young voters and Black women.

Beyoncé recently backed Harris during a Houston rally, joining a lineup of influential supporters like Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey, who are working to mobilize key Democratic constituencies.

Trump, meanwhile, moved on to Pennsylvania after his Michigan stop, aiming to secure support from young voters at Penn State University.

On October 10, 2024, former President Barack Obama rallied in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, calling on voters—especially men—to support Harris in her close race against Donald Trump.

Bringing local sports figures on stage, he encouraged a strong showing at the polls, promising, “We have to finish it off with a big victory on Nov. 5.”

With only days left until Election Day, Michigan’s early voting turnout and the tight polling numbers underscore the high stakes for both candidates in one of the nation’s most competitive states.