Former President Donald Trump took center stage at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July, using his acceptance speech to focus heavily on issues of the economy and immigration and throughout his address, Trump repeatedly emphasized the importance of these topics, framing the upcoming election as pivotal for the future of the nation.

Trump's speech sharply contrasted with that of Vice President Kamala Harris, who, during her acceptance speech, mentioned these key issues of voter concern far less and, for many, underscored a clear divide in priorities between the two candidates, as the Daily Caller reports.

The former president's rhetoric was laden with references to economic terms like “economy,” “businesses,” “jobs,” “taxes,” and “inflation,” which he mentioned over 70 times. His focus on immigration was equally prominent, with 43 mentions of terms related to the topic, including “border,” “immigration,” “invasion,” and “illegal aliens.”

In his speech, Trump declared the upcoming election as “the most important election in the history of our country,” framing the stakes as higher than ever. He criticized the current administration, particularly targeting the inflation crisis, which he described as devastating for working and low-income families. “Under the current administration, we are indeed a nation in decline,” Trump stated, pointing to the economic challenges that many Americans are facing.

Trump Accuses Administration of Failing on Immigration

Trump’s speech also included sharp criticism of the administration's handling of immigration. He painted a grim picture of the situation at the southern border, describing it as a “massive invasion” that has brought “misery, crime, poverty, disease, and destruction to communities all across our land.” Trump’s rhetoric on immigration sought to highlight what he views as a significant failure of the current administration to protect American borders.

While Trump was direct in addressing these issues, Harris took a notably different approach in her acceptance speech on Thursday.

The Vice President mentioned economic terms only 15 times and referenced immigration-related terms just nine times. Unlike Trump, Harris did not address the issue of inflation directly, despite its significance to voters. According to an Economist/YouGov poll from August, inflation and prices are the top concern for nearly a quarter of voters as the November election approaches.

Harris Focuses on Broader Immigration Reform

Harris’s speech did touch on immigration, but her focus was more on the need for comprehensive reform rather than the crisis narrative put forward by Trump.

“I know we can live up to our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants and reform our broken immigration system,” Harris said, advocating for a pathway to citizenship and securing the border. However, her remarks lacked the urgency that characterized Trump’s speech.

The economy and jobs were also mentioned by Harris, though her references were far less frequent and detailed than Trump’s. With the economy and jobs being the second most important issue for voters, with 13% considering it a priority, Harris’s limited focus on these topics stood in contrast to Trump’s speech, which was saturated with economic rhetoric.

Trump’s Running Mate Criticizes Harris on Immigration

Adding to the scrutiny of Harris’s record on immigration, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, took aim at her role in shaping the current administration’s border policies.

Vance criticized Harris for not taking stronger action on immigration while in office, specifically pointing to her involvement in policies like suspending deportations and ending Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. “They basically threw open the gates of our country,” Vance said, accusing the administration of contributing to the border crisis.

The Biden-Harris administration’s immigration record has been a contentious issue, with over 10 million migrants encountered by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the last three and a half years. July alone saw more than 100,000 encounters, a figure that Trump and his allies have used to underscore what they view as a failure of the current administration to secure the border.

Biden-Harris Economic Policies Face Scrutiny

In addition to immigration, Trump also criticized the economic policies of the Biden-Harris administration. He specifically targeted the administration’s spending initiatives, such as the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, which have contributed to the national debt reaching $35 trillion. The American Rescue Plan, passed in March 2021, cost $1.9 trillion, while the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added another $750 billion to the debt.

Harris’s role in the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act was significant, as she cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to ensure its passage. Despite this, her acceptance speech did not address the issue of inflation, a notable omission given the economic pressures facing many Americans.

Contrasting Priorities as Election Approaches

The speeches delivered by Trump and Harris at their respective conventions highlighted a stark contrast in priorities as the election approaches. While Trump focused on what he described as a crisis in the economy and immigration, Harris chose to emphasize broader themes of immigration reform without directly addressing the inflation concerns that are top of mind for many voters.

As the November election draws closer, the differing messages from the candidates are likely to play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions. With key issues like the economy, jobs, and immigration at the forefront of voters’ minds, the contrast between Trump’s pointed rhetoric and Harris’s broader approach could influence the direction of the campaign in the weeks to come.

In conclusion, Trump’s acceptance speech at the RNC was marked by a strong focus on the economy and immigration, framing these as critical issues that demand immediate attention. In contrast, Harris’s speech at the DNC touched on these topics but did so with less frequency and urgency. As voters prepare to head to the polls in November, the contrasting priorities of the two candidates will likely continue to shape the discourse and impact the outcome of the election.