US election campaign: Gender and origin play a subordinate role for Harris
Monday, 02 September, 07.03 am: Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy is historic: The US Democrat could become the first woman and the first black person to hold the highest office in the history of the United States. If she wins the election on November 5, she would also be the first US head of state with Asian roots. However, the 59-year-old vice president is hardly making her profile visible on the subject. – unlike her rival Donald Trump, who, according to one expert, is more likely to harm himself with his comments.
One example of how little Harris seems to care about her special status was her reaction in an interview with CNN last Thursday. The candidate was asked about a photo that showed her great-niece during a speech by Harris at the Democratic Party Convention. The photo had become a symbol of the overcoming of gender and racial barriers in politics that Harris seemed to be able to make possible. Harris emphasized in her response that she represents the general public: “I am running because I believe that I am the most suitable person for the position for all Americans right now, regardless of race and gender.”
Trump signals support for legalization of recreational marijuana in Florida
Sunday, 01 September, 04.46 am: Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump has signalled his support for the legalisation of marijuana for recreational use in the US state of Florida in a referendum. “Whether people like it or not, it’s going to happen,” the former US president said on Saturday in his online service Truth Social. In Florida, where Trump lives, a corresponding initiative will also be voted on in the presidential election on November 5.
No one should be a criminal in Florida “when it’s legal in so many states,” Trump continued. “We don’t need to ruin lives and waste taxpayer money by arresting adults” who are carrying amounts intended only for their own personal use.
Marijuana is already legal at the state level in large parts of the USA. Three quarters of US citizens live in states where it is legal either only for medical use or for both medical and recreational use. According to surveys, it is primarily younger voters who support the decriminalization of marijuana – a group of voters who have recently moved more towards Trump’s Democratic rival, US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is against the initiative to legalize marijuana. “The proposed change would turn Florida into San Francisco or Chicago,” DeSantis said, pointing out that his state allows marijuana for medical purposes. “We need to keep our streets clean.”
Trump signaled his support on Saturday, but at the same time he urged the adoption of laws against cannabis consumption in public, “so that we don’t smell marijuana everywhere, as is the case in many cities run by Democrats,” the Republican said.
Trump can imagine another live conversation with Musk
04.50 am: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is planning another live conversation with tech billionaire Elon Musk. “I think we’ll do another one,” Trump said at an event in the US capital Washington, raving about the number of listeners during the first conversation in mid-August. Trump had nothing but praise for Musk – he was great and a super genius, said the 78-year-old. “I’m a big fan of Elon.”
After initial technical difficulties, the first conversation between the two was broadcast live on Musk’s online platform X. Musk had announced the conversation as an “interview,” but it turned into a campaign show for the ex-president.
Man is overpowered by security forces during Trump speech
Saturday, August 31, 03:48 am: A man was overpowered by security forces at a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the US state of Pennsylvania. Videos showed the man entering the cordoned off press area in the event hall in Johnstown and climbing onto a platform on which cameras were set up. Security forces eventually pulled the man down again and led him out of the hall. The background to the incident and the man’s motivation were unclear.
It was unclear whether the man was a supporter or opponent of Trump. Trump had previously – as usual in his speeches – vehemently attacked the US media. He called the “New York Times” the “enemy of the people” and spoke of the “fake news” media.
