Democrats Brand Trump and Vance as “Weird” in Campaign Messaging

The Vice President Kamala Harris and her Democratic allies are taking a new approach in their criticism of Republicans, specifically targeting Donald Trump and his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance by labeling them as “weird.” This strategic messaging has given Democrats an advantage in the narrative, with Harris and her allies frequently using the label to describe their opponents.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, called Trump and Vance “just weird” in a recent interview, highlighting Vance’s controversial comments on abortion and political leaders without biological children. The Harris campaign has also seized on this messaging, with multiple news releases stating simply that “JD Vance is weird” due to his out-of-touch ideas.

While Trump’s campaign has attempted to counter these attacks by flipping the script and focusing on Harris’s policies, Democrats continue to co-opt Republican attack lines to support Harris. The use of the “weird” label may be a way for Democrats to take control of the narrative and counter longstanding efforts to portray Harris in a negative light.

Overall, the “weird” messaging appears to be resonating with Harris supporters and frustrating opponents, leading to further amplification of the label through off-balance responses. As the 2024 election season heats up, it will be interesting to see how this narrative strategy plays out on the campaign trail.