Harris-Walz campaign senior adviser David Plouffe recently commented on the focus of former President Donald Trump's campaign, stating that it revolves around what he referred to as 'small things.' This response comes in light of Pro-Trump forces spending millions on ads targeting LGBTQ rights and Vice President Kamala Harris' stance on transgender issues.
Plouffe emphasized the importance of presidential campaigns centering on significant issues, contrasting Trump's campaign as being focused on trivial matters. He expressed his belief that these attempts by Trump's campaign are unlikely to significantly influence voter behavior.
Trump and his allies have allocated over $21 million towards television ads in October, specifically attacking Harris for her previous support of certain rights for transgender individuals. Despite the substantial financial investment in this topic, it is noted that most voters do not prioritize it in this election.
The ads aim to sway voters who are still undecided between the two candidates by engaging them in a cultural debate that has caused division in various political arenas. The core message of these ads revolves around Harris' past positions during her 2020 presidential campaign, where she advocated for taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care for detained immigrants and federal prisoners, aligning with existing federal regulations.
Throughout October, out of a total expenditure of approximately $66 million on broadcast TV ads by the Trump campaign and affiliated groups, around one-third, equivalent to $21 million, was dedicated to ads concerning LGBTQ rights. These ads predominantly feature footage of Harris from four years ago expressing her support for pro-transgender policies.