In the closing stretch of the 2024 presidential race, former President Donald Trump is dramatically intensifying his campaign efforts. After a sluggish summer, Trump is now on the offensive, hosting 26 events in September alone, far outpacing his activity from earlier in the year, according to an NBC News analysis. The campaign’s sudden surge comes as Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, gains ground following her August rally blitz after taking over the ticket from President Joe Biden.
Trump’s late burst mirrors previous patterns in his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, where he also accelerated his pace closer to Election Day. This time, however, he faces fresh pressure after Harris’ aggressive August push. Some Republicans had voiced concerns that Trump was letting Harris, who swiftly broke fundraising records and eroded his polling lead, outmaneuver him.
“Trump’s team knows the clock is ticking,” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “This is a race where every small move could determine the outcome.”
Over the weekend, Trump hit two key battleground states, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, holding large rallies and attacking Harris personally. He questioned her mental fitness, accusing her of being “mentally impaired,” and even called for her impeachment and prosecution over her immigration policies.
The former president’s schedule remains packed, with multiple rallies planned for the coming weeks. Trump is set to visit Georgia, recently hit by Hurricane Helene, which has not yet seen visits from Harris or Biden, despite the potential political risk of straining recovery efforts. Trump will also return to Butler, Pennsylvania, a location significant in his campaign due to a July assassination attempt.
The rapid escalation of campaign activity signals Trump’s intent to reclaim lost ground, and his team has planned a mix of rallies, retail stops, and policy events to keep his momentum. “No one works harder than President Trump, especially when it counts,” said Trump’s national press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
As both campaigns intensify, the race to Election Day is shaping up to be a fierce contest with unpredictable twists, all while facing heightened security measures after two assassination attempts targeting Trump. With just weeks left, Trump is betting on a high-energy sprint to outpace Harris and sway undecided voters.
