Obama calls Trump 'wannabe king' at Harris event

“That's not what you need in your life," he said.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024, 6:37 AM EDT

The race for the White House is heading into the final stretch with most polls showing Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump neck-and-neck in key states with less than two weeks to go.

Oct 25, 6:54 am

More than 31 million Americans have voted early

As of Friday morning, more than 31 million Americans cast an absentee ballot or voted early in person, according to the Election Lab at the University of Florida.

Roughly 13.7 million people voted early in person, the lab reported, and more than 17.7 million returned their ballot by mail.

A man votes on the second day of early voting in Wisconsin at the American Serb Hall Banquet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 23, 2024.
Vincent Alban/Reuters

6:37 AM EDT

Obama calls Trump 'wannabe king' at Harris event

Entering the final sprint approaching Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris called upon her biggest supporters as she pulls out all the stops to drive voters to the polls.

Former President Barack Obama was on hand at Harris’ rally in Georgia on Thursday night, ripping into Donald Trump by painting him as a power-hungry leader who is only out for himself.

“We do not need four years of a wannabe king -- a wannabe dictator running around trying to punish his enemies,” Obama said to cheers from the crowd. “That's not what you need in your life. America is ready to turn the page.”

Obama urged Americans not to be fooled by Trump’s claims about the economy.

“I remember the economy when he first came in. It was pretty good,” Obama said. “Yeah, it was good because it was my economy. I handed over 75 straight months of job growth to Donald Trump and all he did was give tax cuts to folks who didn't need it.”

Obama also had a message for Americans who may be swayed by Trump’s tough talk.

“Some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior is a sign of strength. That Macho, you know, ‘I'm going, I'm going to own these folks. I'm going to put them down.’ I am here to tell you, that is not what real strength is,” Obama said. “It never has been. Real strength is about working hard and taking responsibility and telling the truth even when it's inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can't always stand up for themselves. That's what we should want in our daughters and our sons, and that's what I want to see in the President of the United States of America.”

4:25 AM EDT

Elon Musk's America PAC announces 5th and 6th $1 million prize winners despite DOJ letter

Elon Musk's America PAC announced the fifth and sixth winners of its $1 million prize winners late Thursday night, despite the Department of Justice sending a letter to the group saying giving financial incentives to boost voter registration may be illegal.

The announcements come after the PAC skipped a winner yesterday.

The latest winners announced today are from Michigan and Wisconsin, according to the PAC.

“Jason of Holland, Michigan received $1M for signing our petition to support the Constitution,” America PAC posted on X. “Every day until Election Day, a person who signs will be selected to earn $1M as a spokesperson for America PAC.”

"Brian from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, received $1M for signing our petition to support the Constitution," the PAC also posted. "Every day until Election Day, a person who signs will be selected to earn $1M as a spokesperson for America PAC."

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie and Soorin Kim

Oct 24, 2024, 10:48 PM EDT

Trump calls into Vance's town hall, asks 'How brilliant is Donald J. Trump?'

In a town hall hosted by NewsNation outside of Detroit, Michigan, vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance took questions from undecided voters in the crowd about what a second Trump administration would tackle and like to accomplish.

In an unexpected moment, former President Donald Trump called into the town hall and asked Vance, "How brilliant is Donald J. Trump?"

"This is supposed to be undecided voters," Vance joked. I would hope that I have your vote of all people."

"Sir, of course, you're very brilliant and we both agree that it's important to have very smart people running our government," Vance said.

Trump also asked Vance how brilliant Vice President Kamala Harris was, leading Vance to say that's "a tough one."

"Don't say it," Trump said. "We don't need anymore. We're doing just fine."

Trump praised Vance, saying he's doing a "fantastic job" and couldn't be happier with him.

Vance was asked three different times throughout the evening what he would do if he were to become president over the next four years if something happened to Trump.

Vance quickly pivoted back to Trump, saying he is "as healthy as an ox" and will be able to
complete a full term if elected back to the White House.

"There's no chance that he's not going to be able to complete a full four-year term. I think he's going to do it. He's going to do it with a ton of energy," Vance said.

"Just look at the campaign schedule that Donald Trump has kept compared to his Democratic opponents. He's doing like three public events for every event Kamala Harris has done," Vance added.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

Oct 24, 2024, 10:07 PM EDT

Harris and Obama team up for 1st joint rally to swing at Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama teamed up for their first joint rally in Clarkston, Georgia, Thursday, to take swings at former President Donald Trump and implore Georgians to vote early.

"So much is on the line in this election, and this is not 2016 or 2020. The stakes are even higher, because over the last years, and in particular the last eight years, Donald Trump has become more confused, more unstable and more angry," Harris said.

Former President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on Oct. 24, 2024, in Clarkston, Ga.
Mike Stewart/AP

“You see it every day. He has become increasingly unhinged. But last time at least, there were people around him who could control him. But do notice in this election they’re not with him this time," the vice president added.

Obama also hit Trump over his former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley's recent comments about him.

"They are people who have never in the past even talked about politics because they believe that the military should be above politics. But the reason they’re speaking up is because they have seen that in Donald Trump's mind, the military does not exist to serve the Constitution or the American people," Obama said.

"He doesn't see being commander-in-chief as a solemn, sacred responsibility," Obama continued. "Just like everything else, he thinks the military exists to do his bidding, to serve his interests."

In a message to the audience of the star-studded rally Thursday, Harris said, "Georgia, we need you to vote early, please vote early."

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow