AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Lone Star state showdown took over the presidential race on Friday with both former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in Texas just hours apart.
Trump spent much of the day in Austin, talking about immigration and then recorded a podcast episode with Joe Rogan.
There were long lines outside of Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium as more than a million people registered for Harris’ rally where Beyonce was scheduled to appear. There was also a surprise visit from Willie Nelson, who performed for the crowd.
Trump in Austin
Trump was in Austin on Friday to sit down and talk to popular podcaster Joe Rogan. This is an effort by his campaign to help reach a younger demographic.
But before the recording, he held a rally at the Austin airport. He wasted no time attacking the vice president.
“Under Kamala Harris, Texas has been turned into ground zero for the largest border invasion in the history of the world. You’re lucky to have your governor,” Trump said.
Harris in Houston
His visit was just hours before the vice president made a stop in Houston. Her stop focused on reproductive rights and had several celebrities in attendance showing support.
“A real suffering has occurred,” Harris said during a news conference ahead of her rally Friday evening. “People have died. And it is important to highlight this issue because this is among the most critical issues the American people will address when they vote for who will be the next president of the United States.”
Trump blasts Harris on immigration
Trump used most of his speech at the airport to focus on immigration.
“Over the past four years, this state has become Kamala’s staging ground to import her army of migrant gangs and illegal alien criminals in to every state in America. And every state is a border state. You’ve heard that, it’s true,” Trump said.
Vice President fires back
The vice president fired back calling out what she said is hurtful rhetoric for America.
“Not someone like Donald Trump, who’s constantly demeaning and belittling who the American people are. America deserves better,” Harris said.
With early voting underway, and more than a week out until the election, America’s next president will be decided soon.
Texas is not considered a battleground state, so that’s partly why Friday’s visits are so interesting to have both candidates here so close to election day.
