In a bid to present a lighthearted perspective on President Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and her Democratic allies have launched a campaign to downsize and caricature the former president. Aiming to depict Trump as more laughable than fearsome, Harris and her team are employing satire and humor to challenge his personality and render him eminently beatable.

Throughout the Democratic convention in Chicago, speakers have been poking fun at Trump's fixations, questioning the significance he placed on crowd size and highlighting his references to Hannibal Lecter, the cannibalistic character from a horror film. A video presented at the convention portrayed Trump as an offender in the TV series "Law & Order," accompanied by an unseen narrator declaring, "This is the story of Donald Trump."

This approach brings a stark contrast to President Joe Biden's portrayal of Trump as a national menace and leader of a dark political movement. Although effective, Biden's message risked leaving voters demoralized and feeling powerless against Trump's grip on the electorate.

Harris, on the other hand, adopts a cheekier tone by presenting Trump as a bumbling, cartoonish figure. Her campaign's press release, resembling satire from "The Onion," humorously previewed a Trump news conference at his home in Bedminster, New Jersey, as opposed to his other residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii lauded Harris for embodying the principle of taking the job seriously but not oneself. Harris eschews lecturing voters and instead aims to communicate the stakes of the election while having fun. Known for her irreverence and occasional sarcasm, Harris adds a touch of normalcy in a room full of self-serious individuals.

Presidential campaigns often reflect the tone set by the top of the ticket, and Harris's approach aligns with her personality and background. As a generational peer of other senators like Cory Booker and Schatz, Harris engaged in playful exchanges and sassy texts, poking fun at their "old school" colleagues.

While President Barack Obama, one of Harris's longtime allies, highlighted Trump's obsession with crowd sizes in his convention speech, Trump's campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, criticized the Democrats for resorting to personal attacks instead of offering real solutions to the country's issues.

It remains to be seen whether Harris's portrayal of Trump as Dennis the Menace will prove successful. However, after only one month on the campaign trail, Harris has managed to close the gap between her and Trump in the polls, capturing the spirit of her party.

Former President Bill Clinton even expressed his bewilderment at Trump's fascination with Hannibal Lecter, which Trump has referred to as "the late, great Hannibal Lecter." Although unsure of Trump's intentions, Clinton speculated that Trump may be suggesting that Lecter-like psychotics are among the migrants entering the U.S. illegally.

As this unconventional approach to the presidential campaign unfolds, Harris's ability to utilize humor and satire in challenging Trump's persona may resonate with voters and contribute to her growing popularity and support.