Pread only 48 hours before the US presidential election, and it’s a true political thriller unfolding before the eyes of the whole world. On one side, Donald Trump, 78 years old, former Republican president who, despite his escapades and controversies, maintains a base of loyal voters. On the other, Kamala Harris, first black woman and of Asian origin to run for the presidency, heir to the Democratic torch since the withdrawal of Joe Biden. These two candidates embody radically opposing visions of the United States. And yet, in the polls, they are neck and neck, as if the nation cannot decide between the past and the future.
Kamala Harris has made the fight for identity an assumed political lever. Nicknamed “Momala”, a nod to her blended family, she does not hesitate to highlight her first name, often abused by her rival, to illustrate the challenges of a multicultural America in search of recognition. Trump, for his part, persists in tarnishing his name, finding it a pretext to mark this cultural difference which, for his supporters, symbolizes a form of “otherness” that is difficult to integrate.
Harris, however, took the opposite view of this tactic, turning condescension into a standard of proximity. In today’s climate, where identity becomes a political battleground, she navigates deftly, discreetly recalling her origins while occupying the national stage.
Opposite, Trump embodies the voice of those “left behind” by globalization. Those who, workers and union members, feel dispossessed by a system that they consider elitist and unequal. In key states like Michigan or Pennsylvania, where the working class retains significant electoral weight, the former president still attracts crowds. The irony lies in the fact that Trump, a flamboyant billionaire, has transformed himself into the spokesperson for a conservative, often working-class America, tired of “elites”.
Faced with this, Harris is struggling to convince working-class voters that her union commitments are better than her opponent’s populist rhetoric. Between support for the electrification of the automobile industry and the battle for the right to abortion, she must juggle various, sometimes contradictory, social concerns.
In this merciless duel, the migration issue has become central. For Harris, the challenge is clear: maintaining a balance between firmness and openness. But for Trump, migration remains a “scourge” that he promises to eradicate. In his eyes, America must become a fortress again, and he does not skimp on words to paint a dramatic image of the migrants.
His slogan? “America First,” of course, is an effective mantra that continues to appeal to a portion of the electorate.
However, the migration reality is more complex than the campaign slogans. The drop in illegal entries, a direct result of Harris’ policies, clearly shows that America could integrate migratory flows without falling into chaos.
An election suspended in “swing states”
As always, it is the famous “swing states” which hold the key to this election. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin… so many names that come back over and over and decide the fate of the nation. Trump is slightly ahead, but the gap is slim. Too thin to guarantee an assured victory.
Pennsylvania, in particular, appears to be the ultimate battleground. Trump already sees it as a conspiracy, denouncing “cheating” on a scale “never seen before”. Harris calls for calm and respect for the electoral process, hoping to ward off the demons of 2020, where the assault on the Capitol tarnished the image of American democracy. For many, this “voter fraud” rhetoric is Trump’s trump card. A way to prepare your troops for a challenge, legitimate or not, in the event of defeat.
In any case, a few days before the vote, America seems on edge, anxious in the face of the looming uncertainty. According to recent polls, 87% of voters believe that the country would suffer lasting damage if their candidate loses.
The climate is tense and anxiety palpable, fueled by alarmist speeches and exacerbated polarization. For many, this election crystallizes deep tensions, highlighting fractures within American society.
The outcome of this electoral race seems so uncertain that one could imagine a “delayed victory” scenario, where each side contests the results. This situation is reminiscent of the famous 2000 recount between Bush and Gore, but in a much more explosive context.
Harris, aware of the risks of violence, advocates appeasement and unity, hoping to prevent the country from falling into chaos.
So who will win? Hard to say. The suspense is at its height. This election could be America’s coming of age election, a major test for a nation seeking stability. Whatever happens, the main thing, perhaps, is not in the name of the winner, but in the ability of Americans to find each other across the divides.
At the end of the day, this election, beyond its twists and turns and its frictions, will remind the 240 million American voters and the entire world that democracy, as imperfect as it may be, remains an ideal for which it is worth worth fighting for.
F. Ouriaghli
