With Election Day looming, both presidential campaigns accelerated their efforts over the weekend, hitting battleground states, making last-minute appearances, and delivering sharp critiques of their opponents. From polling surprises to eyebrow-raising remarks, here are the seven big developments that dominated the final weekend of the 2024 race.
1. Trump Claims He ‘Shouldn’t Have Left’ White House in 2020
At a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that the 2020 election was “stolen,” adding he “shouldn’t have left” the White House. Trump expressed frustration over how long it might take to count ballots this year, calling it “crooked” and insisting results should be known on Election Night.
Trump’s remarks on election integrity have prompted warnings from election officials about the potential delay in final results, given the record early voting turnout.
2. Harris Makes Surprise Appearance on SNL
Vice President Kamala Harris gave viewers a jolt with a surprise appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, alongside Maya Rudolph, who impersonates Harris. The skit played up Harris’s identity as a “Black, South Asian woman running for president,” and the two shared a lighthearted pep talk. Harris used the moment to poke fun at Trump’s recent campaign mishap involving a garbage truck door, providing a humorous break in an otherwise intense campaign weekend.
Following her New York appearance, Harris continued her campaign trail with a stop in Michigan, speaking to congregants at a historic Black church in Detroit.
3. Iowa Poll Shows Shocking Harris Lead, Sparking Debate
A recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll reported a surprising lead for Harris in Iowa, a state Trump won handily in 2016 and 2020. The poll found Harris with 47% support compared to Trump’s 44%, thanks largely to support from women and independent voters.
The Trump campaign was quick to label the poll an “outlier,” preferring an Emerson College poll that showed Trump ahead. Trump responded on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling the poll skewed and affirming his connection to Iowa’s farmers. Meanwhile, national polls indicate a tight race in key battleground states, with Harris showing strength in North Carolina and Georgia while Trump gains ground in the Rust Belt.
4. Trump Laughs Off Sexist Remark About Harris
During a rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, a supporter’s crude comment about Harris’s past work experience drew laughter from Trump. The remark, alluding to Harris’s high school job at McDonald’s, prompted Trump to laugh and quip, “It’s other people saying it, it’s not me.” Harris’s growing support among women voters has become a focal point in the race, with recent polling showing her leading among independent women.
Trump has previously pledged to “protect women” regardless of their support, though his campaign continues to struggle with women voters as Harris capitalizes on her message of reproductive rights and equality.
5. ‘Father of Fertilization’: Trump’s Unusual Self-Designation
In Greensboro, Trump once again referred to himself as the “father of fertilization,” a label he coined during a Fox News town hall last month. His comments came as the Iowa poll showed Harris with a significant advantage among independent women voters, with 57% backing her, compared to 29% for Trump. Democrats have targeted Trump’s record on abortion and reproductive health, pointing to the three Supreme Court justices he appointed who helped overturn Roe v. Wade.
The focus on women voters underscores the gender divide in this election, as Democrats work to mobilize women through pro-choice advocacy and healthcare messaging.
6. Early Voting Hits 76 Million
By midday Sunday, over 76 million Americans had already cast their ballots, with early and mail-in voting surging. In states that track voters’ gender, women have accounted for 54% of early votes, an indication of strong female turnout that could shape the election’s outcome. Democratic turnout has outpaced Republicans in early voting, though analysts say it’s too soon to draw firm conclusions, given the trend of Republican voters turning out heavily on Election Day.
High early voting numbers have prompted predictions of record-breaking voter participation in this election, reflecting heightened public interest and urgency.
7. ‘Election Eve’ Blitz: Both Campaigns Go All-In
In a final push, both campaigns have packed their schedules with events across the crucial swing states. Harris is set to make stops in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Allentown on Monday, with a rally lineup featuring Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, The Roots, and Katy Perry. Meanwhile, Trump will be holding rallies in Reading and Pittsburgh, with his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, covering additional states.
With both candidates planning major election night watch parties—Harris at Howard University in D.C. and Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida—the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to a fiercely contested campaign season. As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on these final hours of campaigning, where every speech, rally, and poll could tip the balance in this high-stakes election.
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