### Vice President Harris and Trump Ramp Up Campaigns as Election Day Nears

As Election Day approaches, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are increasing their campaign efforts in critical battleground states. Harris, alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will embark on a tour covering all seven pivotal states, starting with Michigan. Their engagement will include various events, such as a rally featuring singer Maggie Rogers.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump continues to hold rallies in key states with Georgia being a focal point. He plans to extend his campaign efforts to additional battleground states, including an appearance in Virginia later this week. Trump's running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, will be campaigning in Wisconsin.

A recent rally held by Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden generated significant backlash due to controversial remarks made by opening speakers. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who participated in the event, described Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage" and made disparaging comments about Latinos, which he later claimed were taken out of context. Tim Walz criticized these remarks, stating that Trump's campaign is closing with a message rooted in "hate and division."

In response, Trump's campaign has been quick to distance itself from the divisive comments, emphasizing that they do not reflect the views of the broader Republican Party or the campaign itself. This reaction underscores concerns about alienating key voter demographics.

Polling data indicates a closely contested race. According to a Cooperative Election Study conducted by YouGov, Harris leads Trump by four percentage points among likely voters, with 51% supporting Harris and 47% backing Trump. This margin is slightly larger than The Washington Post's polling average, which shows Harris ahead by two points.

Amid this heated campaign climate, President Joe Biden cast his ballot in Wilmington, Delaware, joining new voters, who were met with applause as they exercised their right to vote. The intensity of the campaigns reflects the high stakes of this election, with both sides striving to secure pivotal support ahead of Election Day.