In a bid to rally their respective bases, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have participated in separate campaign events on Thursday. The efforts come as the presidential election draws nearer and the candidates seek to solidify their support.

Harris teamed up with media mogul Oprah Winfrey for a two-hour livestream event called "Unite for America." The session, held in Michigan, aimed to showcase grassroots organizations that back Harris. Winfrey, an ardent supporter of Harris who delivered a speech at the Democratic convention, joined forces to highlight the vice president's campaign.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Trump attended an evening event addressing "Fighting Anti-Semitism in America." The former president spoke before a crowd of prominent Jewish donors and the Israeli-American Council, a nonprofit that has historically received support from major Republican donor Sheldon Adelson and Democratic donor Haim Saban. The event, held in Washington, aimed to address rising concerns about anti-Semitism and support for Israel.

With the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel approaching, the Israeli-American Council's national convention also served as a platform to discuss regional security and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Looking ahead, Harris has scheduled campaign stops in Wisconsin and Georgia on Friday. One of her focal points will be raising awareness about the tragic case of Amber Thurman, a young mother who died after enduring a 20-hour wait for medical assistance following complications from an abortion pill. Harris argues that Thurman's fate highlights the repercussions of Trump's actions, as the abortion ban in Georgia was enacted after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn nationwide abortion rights, with Trump having nominated three of the justices who made that decision.

Meanwhile, Trump is gearing up for a rally in the crucial battleground state of North Carolina on Saturday, in an effort to galvanize his supporters and gain momentum.

These campaign events unfolded against the backdrop of the Federal Reserve's surprising move to cut its benchmark interest rate by half a point. The decision marks a stark shift after a prolonged period of high rates, which curbed inflation but made borrowing costly for American consumers. With less than seven weeks remaining until the election, the rate cut holds the potential to impact the economic landscape, further shaping the electorate's perspective as they prepare to cast their votes.

Regarding the timing of the rate cut, Trump expressed skepticism, implying that the move reflected a deteriorating economy. The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, responded by reiterating the Biden administration's commitment to maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve and distanced themselves from previous administrations' attempts to exert influence over the central bank.

As the election race intensifies, both candidates are seizing every opportunity to inspire their base and secure coveted votes. With the final outcome still uncertain, these campaign events have the potential to sway public sentiment and shape the path to the White House.