'You Sense The Danger': Uncertainty, Tension In US As Trump, Harris Make Final Push

Last Updated:November 05, 2024, 15:34 IST

The US election between Trump and Harris is at a breaking point, with tensions rising, polls neck-and-neck, and fears of unrest

The US presidential elections are scheduled to be held on November 5. (AP photo file)

With the world watching, the United States is bracing for a knife-edge election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, amid growing fears of civil unrest, no matter who wins the race to the White House.

The US presidential election has been marked by intense rhetoric, celebrity endorsements, and unprecedented tension, with the country holding its breath over the outcome of what is shaping up to be a razor-thin race. Polling data shows that the battle is neck-and-neck, with both Trump and Harris fighting for votes in key battleground states, the UK’s Daily Mail reported.

Trump is hoping for another term in the White House, while Harris is looking to make history as the country’s first female commander-in-chief. Both candidates campaigned vigorously across critical swing states on the eve of Election Day, with Trump delivering speeches in Michigan, while Harris concentrated on Pennsylvania, a state seen as pivotal to the outcome.

‘Vote like your life depends on it’

In his final push, Trump, who has been endorsed by the like of Elon Musk, urged his supporters to “vote like your life depends on it," warning that this could be the last chance to protect America from what he sees as the dangers of Harris’ policies. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris closed her campaign with a star-studded lineup of supporters, including Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry.

Winfrey warned voters that democracy itself was on the line, telling a crowd in Pennsylvania, “If we don’t show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again." “All the anxiety and the fear you’re feeling, you’re feeling that because you sense the danger," she was quoted as saying by the British newspaper.

Heightened rhetoric

The heightened rhetoric shows the divisions in the country, with both sides warning that a victory for the other could lead to the erosion of freedoms or even the collapse of democracy itself. With both campaigns pushing their final messages into the early hours of Election Day, businesses in Washington, DC, began boarding up their windows, bracing for potential violence in the wake of a disputed result.

The possibility of unrest is becoming more real as Election Day approaches on Tuesday. Security measures are being ramped up across the country, with the Guard placed on standby in key cities. Fears of civil unrest have been fueled by a surge in political violence during the campaign, including shootings at Trump rallies and threats to blow up political offices. In Washington state, where Harris is expected to win, Guard troops are also on standby in response to fears of violence, following an incident in which ballot boxes were set on fire earlier in the week.

‘Every single vote matters’

Trump has repeatedly said that if he wins Pennsylvania, it will be “over," signaling that the state could be the tipping point in this fiercely contested election. Harris, for her part, has gone all-in on Pennsylvania, making multiple stops across the state and urging voters to make their voices heard. “Every single vote matters," she told a crowd in Philadelphia, echoing the stakes of an election that could be one of the closest in US history.

A final poll of the swing states by Emerson College showed Trump with a slight edge in Arizona and several other key states, but Harris holding a lead in Michigan. Amid the intense competition, the potential for a disputed result looms large. Trump, who has previously questioned the legitimacy of elections, has already raised concerns about fraud in key battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania.

‘There may be blood’

Steve Cohen, a Democratic lawmaker from Tennessee, has warned that “there may be blood" if Harris beats Trump at the ballot box, saying the Republican’s supporters may not accept a defeat. “I think Kamala’s gonna win the popular vote by 5, 6 million votes at least," he told NewsNation. “I think she gets the electoral vote, but I think Trump won’t stop at anything. It will be in court; it will be in litigation. He’ll be telling people, again, to go to the Capitol if you want to have a country and fight like hell."

“There may be blood, and there’s some concern," he added. A survey conducted in recent days shows that many Americans expect violence regardless of who wins. More than 25% of voters believe that rioting will break out after the election, and 10% even fear that the country could plunge into civil war. Some Democratic lawmakers have voiced similar concerns, warning of violence if Trump loses and refuses to accept the results.

As the election day draws to a close, US cities and state capitals remain on edge, preparing for the worst as tensions over the election outcome continue to rise. With many Americans expecting a prolonged battle over the results, the future of the nation hangs in the balance, with both candidates urging their supporters to cast their votes like their life depends on it.

(With agency inputs)

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world 'You Sense The Danger': Uncertainty, Tension In US As Trump, Harris Make Final Push