### Trump and Allies Criticize Democrats Amid Tight Battle for Key States

Former President Donald Trump, capping off his Wednesday with a rally in Green Bay, Wis., launched into a fierce critique against his Democratic opponents, a sentiment echoed by his supporters. Following President Biden's comments gaining traction on social media, Senator Marco Rubio took to the stage at Trump’s rally in Allentown, Pa., on Tuesday, amplifying Trump's rebuke to a chorus of boos from the crowd.

In a strategic move reminiscent of the 2016 campaign, the Trump team swiftly linked Biden's comments to Hillary Clinton's infamous "deplorables" remark. Fundraising efforts took advantage of the controversy, aiming to galvanize Trump's base. The former president has a history of vilifying Democrats, labeling them as "the enemy within," "communists," and "radical left thugs." However, Trump turned the tables at his Rocky Mount rally, accusing Democrats of engaging in harmful rhetoric. "For the past nine years, Kamala and her party have called us racists, bigots, fascists, deplorables, irredeemables, Nazis, and they've called me Hitler," Trump stated to his supporters, asserting, "They've demeaned us. They've demonized us and censored us."

Polling data indicates a tightly contested race in North Carolina, mirroring the deadlock seen across seven crucial battleground states. As the campaigns intensify, Kamala Harris plans to rally supporters in Madison, Wis., on Wednesday night, featuring performances by Gracie Abrams, Mumford & Sons, and other musicians.

According to The New York Times' review of early voting data, approximately 36 percent of registered voters in these battleground states have already cast their ballots. The rates of early voting vary significantly, with over half of North Carolina's voters having voted already compared to just 19 percent in Pennsylvania, highlighting differences in voting culture and accessibility.

The early voting turnout is influencing where candidates focus their efforts in the final campaign days. Harris’s campaign, noticing Milwaukee County’s relatively low early voting rate, has slated a Friday night event with an undisclosed musical act to boost turnout.

Trump's Wednesday campaign trail commenced in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, a region energized by Barack Obama's 2008 victory but now described as impoverished. Contrasting scenes greeted Trump's motorcade; while Drexel Hill, Pa., showcased enthusiastic supporters donned in Trump gear, Rocky Mount's response was more subdued. African American residents filmed silently, with one man offering a middle finger salute. Yet, the Rocky Mount Event Center, with a seating capacity of 4,000, saw a near-capacity turnout of predominantly white Trump supporters.

Contributions to the reporting came from Jazmine Ulloa in Charlotte, N.C., and Katie Rogers in Washington, while Eduardo Medina provided insights from Durham, N.C.