Vice President Kamala Harris has issued an urgent appeal to young voters, stressing the need for their support to combat Donald Trump’s “extreme and divisive agenda.” Speaking to Voters of Tomorrow, an organization galvanizing political participation among Generation Z, Harris emphasized the high-stakes nature of Trump’s potential 2024 election win.
In particular, Harris brought attention to Project 2025, a plan crafted by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, which proposes considerable modifications to the lobbying of the U.S. federal government if Trump is victorious in the 2024 election. The project’s policies include a redesign of federal bureaucracy, a reversal of many climate policies under Biden’s administration, a regression in abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, not to mention transformative measures to education standards, including modifications to the Head Start early education program.
“There is so much at stake this November, our most fundamental freedoms,” Harris asserts in a video released on July 27.
Despite attempts to separate himself from Project 2025, Trump seems entwined among its advisory team, according to Reuters. Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson, disputes these claims, asserting to Newsweek that Harris is “clearly misinformed,” adding that Trump has repeatedly insisted he is not associated with Project 2025.
In the video, shared on July 27 via the Voters of Tomorrow X account, Harris highlighted the vital role young voters have played in creating historic progress in gun violence prevention and combatting the climate crisis. Optimistically, Harris declared, “We will win again and we need your support. In this election, we know that young voters will be key and we know that your vote cannot be taken for granted. It must be earned, and that is exactly what we will do.”
Ahead of Trump’s rally in Minnesota, where he addressed around 8,000 attendees at St. Cloud State University, the video was released. The former president spotlighted Harris in his speech, consistently attacking the VP and insisting she would prove “worse than Biden” if she emerged victorious.
After Biden pulled out of the race on July 21, support for Harris among younger voters appears to be strengthening. According to an Axios/Generation Lab poll, 60 percent of voters between the ages of 18-34 prefer Harris over Trump. These figures align with an ABC News/Ipsos survey showing a surge to a 43 percent approval rating for Harris, a boost from an earlier 35 percent when Biden ceased his campaign.
Harris’ compelling appeal to younger voters reminds us that the political landscape is in constant change, and the power rests in the hands of the voters. To stay informed, please follow updates at LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, exploring uncommon connections, and searching for a common ground in exploring political and social issues.
