Trump and Harris focus on early voting in final days of the election

Presidential rivals Donald Trump and Kamala Harris campaigned in battleground states on Thursday, urging voters to cast their ballots in a razor-wire-tight election that is less than two weeks away.

Trump, who has been skeptical of early voting and mail ballots in particular, urged supporters to vote by mail, in person early or on Election Day, and reminded supporters of the deadlines for the three options as he stood in front of a banner touting early voting at a rally in Tempe, Arizona.

“So as you know, early voting, oh, we’re finally here. We just saw we can’t take this any longer,” the Republican said, later saying that the day of the election, Nov. 5, will be called “Liberation Day” after he wins the White House.

Trump later mused about a fictional couple named Jane and Jimmy, urging the wife to drag her husband to the polls.

“Jane, your husband’s sitting on the sofa, watching something. He doesn’t even know what he’s watching. Tell him, ‘Jimmy, get up. You’re getting up, Jimmy. Let’s go. Let’s go, Jimmy,’” Trump said. “I’m not gonna use foul language. ‘Get your fat ass out of the couch. You’re going to vote, Jimmy. You’re going to vote. We’re gonna save our country, Jimmy.’”

Bruce Springsteen opened a Harris rally in Atlanta by singing “The Promised Land,” “Land of Hope and Dreams” and “Dancing in the Dark.”

He urged the crowd to join him in voting for the Democratic ticket.

“I want a president who reveres the Constitution, who does not threaten but wants to protect and guide our great democracy, who believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power, who will fight for a woman’s right to choose, and who wants to create a middle-class economy that will serve all our citizens,” Springsteen said. “There is only one candidate in this election who holds those principles dear: Kamala Harris.”

Springsteen was the latest entertainer to appear at a Harris rally. Other artists who have recently joined the Democratic nominee include Usher and Lizzo. Earlier Thursday, word spread that Beyoncé would appear with Harris at a rally in Houston on Friday.

The singer, a Houston native whose song “Freedom” is frequently played at Harris events, has an enormous following, notably among Black people and young people, two critical voting blocs in the election. She has not officially endorsed Harris, but she did grant permission for Harris to use her song during campaign events.

Country singer Willie Nelson is also reportedly planning to attend the rally, during which Harris is expected to focus on reproductive rights and the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling that overturned federal protection for access to abortion.