This week, pro-Trump outside groups intensified their efforts with a barrage of attack ads aimed at Vice President Kamala Harris. These ads cover a range of issues, with a particular focus on transgender policies, which have become a prominent theme in Republican advertising.
Preserve America, a leading pro-Trump super PAC backed by megadonor Miriam Adelson, released two ads on Wednesday criticizing Harris for her support of taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained immigrants and federal prisoners. One ad featured a Wisconsin voter expressing concern over high inflation and accusing Harris of misusing tax dollars to support illegal immigrants and their gender reassignment procedures.
Another prominent pro-Trump group, MAGA Inc., known for its support of Trump's 2024 campaign, launched an ad targeting Harris's stance on LGBTQ rights. The ad claimed that Harris would use taxpayer money to fund transgender surgeries for criminal illegal aliens, contrasting her views with those of President Trump.
Republican advertisers, including the Trump campaign, have shifted their messaging to focus more on LGBTQ rights and transgender healthcare policies. This shift is evident in the increased spending on ads related to these issues. Data from AdImpact shows that in the first week of October, Republican spending on LGBTQ rights messaging surged to $8.7 million, comprising 28% of their total broadcast TV advertising.
During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Trump showcased an anti-transgender video, criticizing what he described as the 'woke' military under the Biden administration. This event underscores the growing emphasis on LGBTQ rights in the presidential race as it enters its final month.
The rise in ads targeting Harris reflects a broader trend in Republican advertising strategies, with LGBTQ rights becoming a significant focal point. As the campaign intensifies, these ads are likely to continue shaping the narrative around key social issues.
