Kamala Harris slams Donald Trump, says US election is ‘choice between freedom and chaos’

The US vice-president has US$100 million in donations and the backing of major congressional Democrats

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US Vice-President Kamala Harris speaks at West Allis Central High School during her first campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:47am, 24 Jul 2024Updated: 5:51am, 24 Jul 2024

A roaring crowd of battleground state voters greeted US Vice-President Kamala Harris on Tuesday as she opened her Democratic political case against Republican former president Donald Trump.

In the November election, she said, “it’s a choice between freedom and chaos”.

“In this campaign, I promise you, I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week,” Harris said. “We believe in a future where every person has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead.”

Harris arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, having locked up nomination support from Democratic delegates after US President Joe Biden dropped his re-election bid on Sunday. It was her first campaign rally since she launched her campaign just two days ago with Biden’s endorsement.

The event reflected a vibrancy that had been lacking among Democrats in recent weeks, adding to the evidence, along with US$100 million in donations since Sunday afternoon, that Harris aims to project a sense of steady confidence about the November election.

The vice-president has also scored the backing of Democratic officials and political groups, including congressional leaders Charles Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.