What to watch on the campaign trail today
- Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, embarked on their “Road to Chicago” bus tour, making stops today in western Pennsylvania. They were joined by second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota’s first lady, Gwen Walz, the first time the four have appeared on the campaign trail together.
- The trip through Pennsylvania kicked off the pair’s final campaign events ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins tomorrow in Chicago and is set to feature remarks by President Joe Biden, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, first lady Jill Biden and others.
- Donald Trump is looking past the convention to the Sept. 10 debate against Harris, preparing by enlisting the help of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, of Hawaii, who “successfully dominated Kamala Harris on the debate stage” in 2020, Trump’s national press secretary said. The Harris team tapped longtime Democratic strategist Philippe Reines to play Trump in her debate preparation.
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Uncommitted National Movement says it secured a DNC panel on Palestinian human rights
The Uncommitted National Movement, which supported voting “uncommitted” on Democratic primary ballots rather than voting for Biden, has announced a DNC-sanctioned panel on Palestinian human rights scheduled to take place on the first day of the convention.
The announcement was made in a short video the movement posted to X.
The panel will feature members of the grassroots campaign; Palestinians; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, an intensive care pediatrician; former Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich.; and others.
Lawmakers defend Harris' economic plan on Sunday shows
Lawmakers defended Harris’ economic plan against the Washington Post editorial board’s characterization of it as “populist gimmicks.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said the plan’s goal was to put working families first.
“This is part of that messaging that that she started with her economic speech. I think she’s going to get into more details here, and then we’re going to carry that message on forward,” she said.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said Harris is focusing on “continuing the work of President Biden” to tackle problems working Americans face, and he rejected claims that the plan for affordable housing and lower drug costs is “communist.”
“Well, let’s be clear. I know Kamala Harris believes in the free market. What she put out in her proposals includes tax incentives for us to increase the production of housing and, yes, reductions in the prices that seniors pay for prescription drugs,” Coons said. “I don’t think there’s anything communist about wanting to make housing more affordable and prescription drugs.”
Harris announced her economic plan in a speech Friday, promising to prioritize decreasing housing costs, food costs and drug prices and expanding the child tax credit.
Democrats project messaging onto Trump Tower in Chicago
The Democratic National Committee is projecting messaging onto Trump Tower in Chicago.
The messages include "Project 2025 HQ" and "Trump-Vance out for themselves."
Trump has disavowed Project 2025 in recent weeks, saying he knows "nothing" about the sweeping conservative presidential transition plan, despite long-standing ties to some of its key architects.
The projection on the Trump International Hotel and Tower changed every few seconds. Another phrase read "Trump-Vance 'weird as hell.'"
Protest signs dub Biden an 'international terrorist'
At the Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws march in Chicago on the eve of the DNC, a number of protesters are carrying signs bearing Biden's face with the caption "international terrorist."
The march is advocating for a broad list of topics, including an end to the war in Israel and Gaza, reproductive justice and LGBTQ rights.
It’s one of at least six major demonstrations planned this week.
March on eve of DNC reaches end point at Grant Park
The march has reached its endpoint, with protesters turning into Grant Park, near the John Alexander Logan monument, not far from the Field Museum.
The crowd has thinned out considerably, even though organizers are holding a concluding rally.
Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws organizers said they were happy with the turnout and their message.
“It was the spirit of our march that made it,” said Andy Thayer, an organizer with the group.
He said that it was “important” that his group get a message out that “people are so angry with the Democrats.”
Thayer accused party leaders of “only being interested in taking action on these things that matter” — he mentioned issues like reproductive rights and the climate — “when they see them as vote-getters.”
Harris campaign criticizes Trump's decision to hold rally in city where white supremacist demonstrated last month
The Harris campaign criticized Trump's decision to hold a campaign event in Howell, Michigan, where white supremacists reportedly held a demonstration just last month.
"We love Hitler! We love Trump," said demonstrators, who had no known affiliation to the Trump campaign, according to local news reports.
"Trump’s actions have encouraged them, and Michiganders can expect more of the same when he comes to town next week," Harris campaign Michigan spokesperson Alyssa Bradley said in a statement.
Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized coverage of Trump's visiting Michigan after the white supremacist demonstration, saying "The media serves as a divisive, anti-Trump mouthpiece for the Democrat Party."
"Did you write this same story when Joe Biden visited Howell in 2021 or when Kamala Harris visits cities where racist protests and marches have occurred in the past?" Leavitt said. Biden's visit to Howell was three years ago, well before last month's white supremacist rally.
The Trump campaign also pointed to Harris campaign events in and near major cities such Philadelphia, Atlanta and Detroit, all of which have recorded hate incidents. The campaign also pointed to a Harris fundraising event in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, noting that there was a report of swastikas written on a building there 18 years earlier.
Howell has previously had associations with the Ku Klux Klan. In 2005, an auction in Howell sold Ku Klux Klan paraphernalia, including robes and a knife. A KKK leader also lived on a farm outside Howell until he died in 1992.
NBC News asked the campaign for comment about whether Trump plans to denounce last month's demonstration during his visit.
Skirmish breaks out on sideline of march
A skirmish broke out on the sidelines of the march moments ago after a police officer on a bicycle assigned to usher the protest appeared to inadvertently make contact with a protester.
The contact set off a brief but tense round of shouting, with some protesters yelling anti-police slogans.
The protest continued forward after the apparent altercation.
Pro-Palestinian protesters call for arms embargo on Israel
Cedar Larson, who attended the protest with a sign that read “Reproductive Freedom for All,” said it was really important for people to understand “that no matter who the political party is that’s in charge, there’s still a genocide happening in Gaza right now.”
Larson said protesters were calling for an embargo on arm sales to Israel.
She said her advocating for Gaza also overlapped with fighting for reproductive rights, “the safety needed to undergo pregnancy itself is becoming a threat in Gaza.”
Carri Stevens said, “Just because we don’t want Trump doesn’t mean we don’t have other requests.”
She said that Biden’s stepping aside from his candidacy “gave me a little bit more hope” but for that Harris, “she’s got a long way to come.”
She said Harris could gain a lot if she is willing to listen to the protesters.
“I will hold out hope,” she said.
Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws march continues to Grant Park
The Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws march is nearing its end at Grant Park.
The group’s one-mile march has been entirely peaceful, with protesters chanting pro-Palestine slogans and cheering for reproductive rights.
There’s been a minimal counter-protest presence tonight, with, so far, just one small anti-abortion group lined up on the sidelines march route.
Four celebrities to host DNC, convention officials say
Four celebrities will host the Democratic National Convention, according to convention officials. Tony Goldwyn will host tomorrow, followed by Ana Navarro on Tuesday, Mindy Kaling on Wednesday and Kerry Washington on Thursday, according to convention officials.
"These hosts were selected because they are known, trusted, and authentic voices who have a proven track record of supporting the Democratic Party as we fight for a better and fairer future for the people," convention officials said.
Democrats have worked with celebrities this cycle to host major fundraisers, and stars were also involved in the 2020 DNC.
"In 2020, we had a range of entertainers who lended their voices and their platforms to our convention — and we are excited to bring back this successful practice this year as we capture and leverage the energy inside the historic United Center," convention officials said.