Beyoncé and Vice President Kamala Harris joined forces in Houston Friday, speaking to a crowd of 30,000 at a rally focused on the impact Donald Trump's presidency would have on women's rights. It was the Democratic nominee's largest gathering to date, and aimed to raise awareness about the medical fallout from Texas's strict abortion ban and connect with voters in battleground states
While Beyoncé energized the audience with a passionate call to action, saying the nation stood on the "brink of history," Harris warned that a Trump victory could solidify restrictive abortion laws across the country. "For all the men and women in this room, and watching around the country, we need you," the megastar said. Harris echoed the sentiment, adding, "If Donald Trump wins again, he will ban abortion nationwide."
The vice president's visit to Texas aimed to sway undecided voters in a state known for its Republican dominance. Trump leads by almost seven percentage points in the latest poll aggregate, according to FiveThirtyEight. Stepping onto the stage to Beyoncé's anthem "Freedom," Harris highlighted the growing healthcare crisis stemming from the state's abortion restrictions, saying that women dealing with complications from pregnancies often cannot receive necessary medical care.
Despite speculation about a performance, Beyoncé chose to speak instead, underscoring her role as a mother. The event featured additional star power, including country music legend Willie Nelson, who performed popular songs, and actress Jessica Alba, who also spoke and encouraged women to vote.
Harris's campaign has leveraged the influence of high-profile figures throughout the campaign, framing her message around themes of freedom and progress and casting Trump as a risk to both reproductive rights and democratic values.
The rally included powerful testimonies from Texas women who have encountered serious complications stemming from the state's abortion laws. Following the implementation of these restrictions, Texas has experienced rising rates of infant mortality, increased deaths from birth defects, and a surge in maternal mortality. One woman recounted her traumatic experience of being denied an emergency abortion after a miscarriage, while another described facing life-threatening complications during her pregnancy, as reported by The Guardian.
Earlier in the day, Trump was in Texas, where he recorded a nearly three-hour podcast with Joe Rogan before heading to a rally in Michigan. As Harris continues her campaign efforts, she is focused on energizing Texas voters, even if a win in the state remains unlikely. Harris does not expect to win Texas, but Democrats are suddenly hopeful after polls suggest an unexpectedly close Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democrat Colin Allred.
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