Puerto Rican voters protest Trump visit to Allentown, Pennsylvania
Puerto Rican voters in Allentown, Pennsylvania, have gathered to protest outside the PPL Center arena ahead of Trump’s rally in the largely Puerto Rican neighborhood, holding up signs that say “Vote for Community” in English and Spanish.
They are protesting remarks made over the weekend during Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally.
The mayor of Allentown told NBC News earlier today that the comments have not gone over well in the majority-Latino city, and people are “angry” about it.
Supreme Court rejects RFK Jr. plea to be removed from ballot in two swing states
The Supreme Court today rejected a long-shot bid by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ended his independent presidential campaign, seeking his removal from the ballot in the key swing states of Wisconsin and Michigan.
Kennedy has endorsed Trump and is seeking to have his name dropped from the ballots in states where it could be a boost to his new ally.
The court did not explain its reasoning. Justice Neil Gorsuch said he would have granted Kennedy’s application in the Michigan case.
Bannon calls on Trump to speak early on election night
Steve Bannon, who encouraged Trump to declare victory on election night in 2020 before all the votes were counted, was asked by NBC News today whether he would do the same this time around.
Bannon stopped short of saying Trump should declare himself the winner, but called on the former president to update voters on the state of the race earlier in the night than in 2020, when he spoke around 2:30 a.m. ET.
“I’m urging President Trump, if the votes come in like it looks like they’re going to come in, he should step up and inform the American citizens of exactly what’s going on and not keep people in the dark, like was done in 2020,” Bannon said.
He said citizens were "confused" in 2020, and Trump "needs to explain to the people exactly where we are."
High school seniors rally at Philadelphia’s City Hall before casting their first ballots
Today is the final day of early voting for the city of Philadelphia where hundreds of first-time voters gathered for a rally at City Hall before many of them cast their first ballots.
PA Youth Vote, a nonpartisan group, organized the event in Love Park, where 18-year-old students from over a dozen different high schools around the city met at Love Park around noon before marching around City Hall. There was a marching band, live speakers, a DJ booth and other activities for the teens.
Nee Simmons, 18, is voting today for Harris.
“There’s a lot of pressure to vote. Because I know my vote matters, but in general the youth vote matters. Like I said, one vote can completely make a huge difference,” Simmons said.
PA Youth Vote says its aim is to, “empower young voters, increase voter turnout among Philadelphia high school seniors, and highlight the importance of civic participation in the democratic process.”
Jania Simmons, 18, said it's "a lot of pressure to vote" because "one vote could completely make a huge difference in a swing state."
"I feel like in order for us to want change, we have to make change in this generation," she said. "There’s a lot of things that we’re openly wanting to discuss in order for us to have that and make a big impact, our vote is really necessary."
Officials prepare for large crowd at Harris' speech tonight
In addition to the anti-scale fencing that was positioned for tonight's event at the Ellipse, those attending the Harris speech will see some signs of the security operation including drones, ballistic glass and uniformed officers.
Attendees will not see other methods, including counter-surveillance special agents blended into the crowd and an array of detection sensors.
The U.S. Secret Service will also have support from National Park Police and Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department.
Officials described the speech location on the Ellipse as being “in the umbrella of the White House,” which is an area with security assets like cameras and significant security infrastructure.
Officials say they have no immediate concerns about security tonight and are prepared for a large crowd.
Biden says he's not attending Harris' Ellipse speech because 'this is her night'
Biden told reporters in Baltimore today that he will be watching but not attending Harris’ speech tonight on the Ellipse, near the White House.
Asked why he would not be in attendance, Biden said, “’Cause its for her, this is her night.”
As of last week, Harris did not have any plans to campaign with Biden before Election Day.
Bannon says he spoke with Trump after his release from prison
Steve Bannon said he spoke to Trump after he was released from federal lockup this morning.
"We've had a chat," the former White House adviser told reporters at a news conference this afternoon.
He did not disclose details of the conversation, but said that Trump had listened to his streaming show this morning.
Michelle Obama to headline get-out-the-vote rally in Atlanta
Michelle Obama will headline a nonpartisan “When We All Vote” rally in Atlanta, making an appeal to Georgia residents to cast a ballot over the next week.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Obama in recent days, calling her "nasty."
Harris to discuss Trump's pledge to pardon Jan. 6 rioters during tonight's speech
Harris will call Trump "unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power" during her speech at the Ellipse this evening, according to excerpts of her remarks released by the campaign.
"Donald Trump intends to use the United States military against American citizens who simply disagree with him. People he calls — quote — 'the enemy from within.' This is not a candidate for President who is thinking about how to make your life better," Harris will say, according to prepared remarks.
Harris will address Trump's pledge to pardon Jan. 6 rioters when she gives her speech at the same place where Trump spoke shortly before the attack on the Capitol, saying "one of his highest priorities is to set free the violent extremists who assaulted those law enforcement officers on January 6th," according to the excerpts.
Allentown mayor says the Puerto Rico joke hasn't gone over well in the majority-Latino city
The mayor of Allentown told NBC News today that comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke about Puerto Rico has not gone over well with voters in the Pennsylvania city, where more than half the residents are Latino.
“It’s confusing, and it’s totally out of contact or out of sorts with what Allentown residents expect to hear,” said Mayor Matt Tuerk, who supports Harris. “People are angry about it.”
“They hadn’t heard much from him specifically about the island until the campaign made these hateful comments about La Isla del Encanto,” he added.
Tuerk predicted that Allentown will remain a Democratic stronghold, but thinks it may “surprise” people how Harris performs in Pennsylvania as a whole.