“I Just Hate Them”: Trump Refuses to Drop Vicious Attacks on Kamala Harris
Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump, known for his fiery rhetoric, was recently urged by one of his associates to tone down his harsh attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris. But according to a report by veteran journalist Marc Caputo in The Bulwark, Trump flatly refused, making it clear that his combative style was not up for negotiation.
An aide reportedly advised Trump against using derogatory terms like “stupid” and “dumb” to describe Harris, suggesting that such language could backfire. However, Trump was unyielding in his response. “This is just the way I am,” he said, according to the report. “I hate my opponent. I hate my opponents … Hillary, Joe, Kamala. It doesn’t matter. I just hate them!”
Trump made no apologies for his approach, particularly regarding Harris. “I’m going to be mean,” he declared, signaling that his attacks would only intensify as the campaign progressed.
Trump’s refusal to dial back his rhetoric is not without consequence. He has already faced criticism for controversial comments about Harris, including questioning her biracial identity during a Q&A with the National Association of Black Journalists. Such tactics, while rallying his base, have also sparked backlash and concern among his own advisers.
Caputo’s report highlights a growing unease within Trump’s camp. Some aides are reportedly worried that Harris, who has positioned herself as a unifying figure, might be anticipating Trump’s personal attacks and could turn the tables on him. The former president’s insistence on remaining “personal and vicious,” as Caputo puts it, has some of his team fearing that this strategy could ultimately play into Harris’s hands.
In stark contrast to Trump’s aggressive tactics, President Joe Biden has focused his campaign on highlighting his administration’s accomplishments and framing Trump as a threat to democracy. Meanwhile, Harris has adopted a strategy reminiscent of Barack Obama, pledging to move beyond the politics of division. Polls suggest that this message has resonated with voters, offering a potential challenge to Trump’s confrontational style.
The tension between these two approaches is set to come to a head on September 10, when Harris and Trump are scheduled to debate on ABC. As the date approaches, all eyes will be on how Trump’s relentless attacks and Harris’s measured responses will clash on the national stage.
Trump’s refusal to soften his rhetoric serves as a reminder of the deep animosity that has defined his political persona—a style that, while polarizing, has been a hallmark of his campaign strategies. Whether this approach will succeed against Harris remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump isn’t backing down.
