Biden warns male voters against supporting Trump

Incumbent US President Joe Biden reinforces stereotype that men tend to lean more conservative.

On Saturday, President Joe Biden issued a pointed warning to men supporting former President Donald Trump, calling it a “mistake” for male voters to favour the Republican candidate in the upcoming general election.

The comments came as Biden boarded Air Force One, responding to Trump’s assertion that the United States has become a “garbage can for the world,” a sentiment that Trump has amplified across his recent campaign stops.

This statement underscores the intensifying clash between both candidates, with high-stakes messaging targeting specific voter bases.

The remark is part of a larger Democratic effort to counter Trump’s influence among male voters, who currently lean toward Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, according to polling averages.

Despite active campaigning, Harris’s team has struggled to close the gender gap, especially with male voters, as both candidates battle for an edge in critical swing states.

Trump’s rhetoric has faced consistent condemnation from Democratic leaders. Recently, he drew backlash after making controversial statements about using military force against “the enemy within” — a broad label he frequently uses for individuals or groups opposing his policies.

In response, Democratic figures, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, have criticized Trump’s approach as authoritarian.

Speaking at a rally in Wisconsin, Walz argued, “To Donald Trump, anybody who doesn’t agree with him is the enemy.”

To bridge the demographic gap, the Harris campaign has turned to more unconventional outreach methods, placing tailored advertisements on sports betting platforms like DraftKings and launching appearances on gaming platforms such as Twitch to reach a younger, predominantly male audience.

Additionally, high-profile endorsements have been leveraged to enhance visibility and drive engagement.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama joined Harris on the campaign trail in Michigan on Saturday, where she urged male voters to consider the impact of another Trump term on women’s rights and healthcare, warning of what she called “dire consequences” for women’s lives under Trump’s policies.

In parallel, Trump is ramping up his own appearances, having made recent stops in Michigan and Pennsylvania, two crucial battlegrounds.

Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, is similarly active, campaigning in swing states like Georgia and Pennsylvania, as the Republican ticket aims to capture the Rust Belt and solidify support in other competitive areas.

Trump has also seen his economic message resonate with voters amid ongoing inflation concerns, leading him to a 12-point advantage over Harris on economic issues, according to recent polls.

Celebrities have also joined the fray, with musicians like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Oprah Winfrey lending their support to the Harris campaign.

Their endorsements aim to bolster youth and minority voter turnout, with platforms like Instagram and Twitter enabling them to reach millions of followers. While the influence of celebrity endorsements can be limited, political analysts point out that the visibility they offer could sway undecided voters in swing states where margins are tight.

In one instance, after Swift’s endorsement, Vote.gov saw a 406,000-click surge, underlining the potential mobilizing power of social media support.

A recent Wall Street Journal poll shows a tight race, with Trump narrowly leading Harris at 47% to 45%, with a ±2.5% margin of error.

The survey, conducted between October 19 and October 22 among 1,500 registered voters, reflects the challenges Harris faces as she works to energize her base while attracting undecided voters in the face of Trump’s renewed popularity.

Trump’s record high approval ratings since leaving office reflect a more complex landscape than earlier predictions, with his support largely fueled by his economic message and promises of a strong, secure America.

For the Harris campaign, support from influential figures may provide a much-needed boost, but as polls show, voter turnout and final choices could be swayed by issues around the economy and healthcare.