Hot Friday on the trail: Beyoncé boosts Harris while Trump sits down with podcast star Joe Rogan

Though Texas isn’t classified as a swing state, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will make strategic appearances there on Friday, banking on the potential impact. While Texas is not expected to tip the scales in the presidential race, its Senate showdown between Republican Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Rep. Collin Allred has thrust the state into the campaign spotlight.

The high-profile visits by Harris and Trump underscore their urgency as they each shape their final arguments to voters, targeting issues relevant to Texans and beyond.

BeyHive Joins KHive: Beyoncé Headlines Harris Rally

Adding a star-studded touch, Houston’s own Beyoncé will perform at Harris’ rally, with her song “Freedom” becoming the campaign’s unofficial anthem. Harris has garnered support from prominent entertainers like Taylor Swift, Megan Thee Stallion, and Bruce Springsteen, who appeared at an Atlanta rally alongside former President Obama.

“We here understand we have an opportunity to turn the page on the fear and divisiveness that have characterized our politics for a decade because of Donald Trump,” Harris said at a recent event. “We have the opportunity to turn the page and chart a new, joyful way forward.”

Harris Rallies Against Texas’ Abortion Ban

In Houston, Vice President Harris plans to rally against Texas’ stringent abortion restrictions, a hot-button topic that Democrats have repeatedly wielded against Republicans. Harris will amplify stories from women affected by abortion bans, including a recent ad highlighting a Texas woman who was denied care during a miscarriage, ultimately risking her life and future ability to conceive. The ad includes audio of Trump from a recent rally, ironically pledging to be a “protector” of women.

For Harris, this is a rallying cry in Texas, as her campaign has centered on reproductive rights—a key issue stemming from Trump’s influence on the Supreme Court and its role in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Trump Taps into the Podcast Circuit with Joe Rogan

Meanwhile, Trump will shift his Texas focus to immigration and border issues with remarks in Austin before taping a podcast with Joe Rogan. Rogan, who has a substantial younger, male audience, is seen as an ideal platform for Trump’s messaging strategy this election season.

Despite Rogan’s previous criticisms, he has recently made overtures to bridge any perceived divide. “I like RFK Jr. as a person, but I also think Trump raising his fist after getting shot is one of the most American things of all time,” Rogan posted on X, deflecting from any political endorsement but signaling approval of Trump’s defiant persona.

Gender Divide: The Emerging Battle Line

With Harris bolstering support among women and Trump’s appeal growing among men, the Texas appearances could reflect the emergence of a significant gender gap in the upcoming presidential election. This Texas stop, though unconventional for both campaigns, emphasizes a crucial divide, capturing the nuanced strategies each is banking on in the final days of the race.

Springsteen and Other Stars Helped Harris on Thursday

On Thursday, Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama lent their star power to Kamala Harris’ quest for the presidency on Thursday, as the vice president implored Georgia voters to consider the “brutally serious” consequences if Donald Trump wins a second term in the White House.

Harris asked voters to imagine who’ll be sitting in the Oval Office just three months from now and think about the new president’s priorities.

“It’s either Donald Trump in there stewing over his enemies list, or me working for you, checking off my to-do list,” she said. “You have the power to make that decision.”

The presence of Springsteen, whose career spans five decades, and former President Obama, still one of the biggest names in Democratic politics, highlights how Harris is leaning on some of the most noteworthy names in the party to help her deliver her closing message and lambast her opponent.

Obama, who got a rousing reception from the rally crowd at a packed high school football stadium outside Atlanta, told his audience, “I get why people are looking to shake things up, but what I cannot understand is why anybody would think that Donald Trump would shake things up in ways that are good for you.”

Harris echoed that message in her speech, warning that “the consequences of him being president again are brutally serious.”