Election 2024 live: Beyonce takes stage with Harris; Trump leaves Michigan rally-goers waiting three hours
Beyonce was joined by her former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland at the Harris rally in Houston, where she told supporters she was there not as a celebrity, but ‘as a mother’
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Kamala Harris appeared alongside pop superstar Beyonce and country music veteran Willie Nelson in Houston, Texas, for a rally focused on the future of reproductive rights.
The Freedom singer was joined by her former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland as she entered the Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, to screams and cheers from supporters.
“I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother, a mother who cares deeply about the world my children, and all of our children are living in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies,” Beyonce said.
Meanwhile on Friday, Trump told supporters at his rally in Traverse City, Michigan, he would be “two hours” late, despite having already kept them waiting for over an hour.
The former president delivered the news via video from his plane, that was projected at the site of the rally – explaining that he had been busy recording a podcast with Joe Rogan. He had been due to speak at around 7.30pm local time in Michigan but took to the stage at around 10.30pm.
After wrapping up a short apology, the former president attacked Harris, accusing her of being “out partying” amid a war, following reports that Israel had launched targeted attacks on Iran.
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Trump makes supporters listen to Ave Maria while medics help rally-goer
Donald Trump halted his remarks in Michigan to let medics help a rallygoer, suggesting crowds might like to listen to a song while they waited.
“Should we listen to a nice song while we wait? Okay, Ave Maria by Pavarotti,” he said “I want The doctors to take their time.”
The former president stood onstage swaying to the music, before beginning again.
Trump claims Harris campaign called him a ‘dictator... evil genius’ and a 'dumb son of a b****’
In Michigan, Trump reeled off the methods of attack the Harris campaign had allegedly taken against him.
“Kamala Harris is leading a hate campaign. Got a new thing, you know?” he said. “I think now they’re calling me a dictator.”
“So they started off where I was a dictator. None of it worked. And they went to, he’s an evil genius that didn’t work. Then they went, he’s a dumb son of a bitch that didn’t last long, that didn’t last too long. Then they went back to the dictator stuff.
“They don’t know what they’re doing, those poor people, those poor lost souls. They’re like lost souls.”
Harris recently said she believed her political rival was a “fascist,” following reports that Trump had once told White House officials he “needed generals like Hitler.” Such reports were later confirmed by his former chief of staff John Kelly.
In pictures: Trump rallies in Michigan
Trump accuses Harris of being ‘out partying’ while ‘war’ goes on in Middle East
After arriving late to his rally in Michigan, Donald Trump accused Kamala Harris of being “out partying” while a war was going on, following reports that Israel had launched targeted missile strikes against Iran.
“You got a little dose of bad management. You got a little dose of incompetent people,” he said.
“You know where she is tonight? She’s out partying. So Israel is attacking. We got a war going on, and she’s out partying. At least we’re working to make America great again. That’s what we’re doing.”
On Friday Harris held her own campaign rally, focused on women’s reproductive rights, in Texas with music superstar Beyonce.
Trump apologizes to supporters in Michigan for being late because of Joe Rogan
Donald Trump apologized to fans in Michigan after being some three hours late to his rally, telling them he had just completed “the longest interview of my life.”
“I am so sorry... We got so tied up, and I figured you wouldn’t mind too much, because we’re trying to win,” he said.
“I got interviewed by actually, a great guy. I didn’t know him too well, but I got to know him because it was longest interview I’ve ever done in my life.
“Joe Rogan – a good guy – you know, it’s quite something, and we had some other things really important [things], and I said, you know, we’re gonna get this stuff done.
“And my people came to me, ‘Sir, we could cancel our evening event, I’m sure the people wouldn’t mind.’ I said, ‘Are you crazy? I’m not canceling! No way!”
Harris trolls protesters: ‘some people do not have a great sense of direction'
Kamala Harris trolled protesters at her rally in Houston, directing them to “that small rally down the street.”
“It will be fine,” she said to laughter. “Some people do not have a greater sense of direction, but that is okay. We will show them the way.”
More pictures of Beyonce at harris rally in Texas
Beyonce endorses Kamala Harris in Texas
Beyonce and Kelly Rowland speaks at Harris rally in Texas
Music superstar Beyonce has taken to the stage in Texas to rally for Kamala Harris, alongside her former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland.
The pair were greeted with roars from the crowd as they entered.
“Welcome to this day, this remarkable, this joyous day, a date, a day, a time, a moment with weight and meaning for our country, for our people and for the world, a moment, Houston, where we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred,” Rowland said.
“Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny. So do what you do and do this thing again.”
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