Harris Rally With Michelle Obama Devolves Into Chaos, Protests

A protester calling for an end to the Gaza war interrupted Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign speech alongside Michelle Obama on Saturday, just days before the election.

The event, held in Kalamazoo, Michigan, opened with former First Lady Michelle Obama delivering a strong critique of Donald Trump, urging men considering voting for him to reconsider. As Harris took the stage to begin her remarks, she was interrupted by chants of “No more Gaza war” from several audience members.

Harris paused briefly while the crowd reacted with boos and then responded, saying, “On the topic of Gaza, we must end that war.”

Her statement coincided with a recent Israeli strike on 20 Iranian military sites, in response to missile attacks from Tehran earlier in the month, as reported by DailyMail.com. Notably, this event occurred on the same weekend Trump received endorsements from Muslim leaders at a rally in Michigan.

Outside the venue, about a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters gathered, chanting that Harris and Biden “could not hide.”

The Gaza conflict has become a central issue in the 2024 election, especially in Michigan, one of the pivotal battleground states. Michigan’s sizable Arab-American population is reportedly divided over Harris due to her administration’s stance on the conflict, with DailyMail.com further noting the tension.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, representing America’s only majority Arab city, has refrained from endorsing either candidate. Recently, President Biden and the U.S. government have begun calling for a ceasefire, as public criticism of Israel’s campaign in Gaza intensifies.

Polling suggests that Trump is gaining support among Arab Americans in Michigan, a crucial swing state, despite his prior administration’s travel restrictions on some Muslim-majority countries linked to terrorism concerns.

In recent days, Harris has drawn on high-profile figures like Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, and Barack Obama to boost her campaign. However, critics argue that appearing with wealthy celebrities contrasts sharply with Trump’s appearances at everyday places like Manhattan construction sites, UFC events, and even working a shift at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.

Harris continued her star-studded campaign strategy on Saturday with Michelle Obama, marking the former First Lady’s first appearance in the campaign with less than two weeks left.

Meanwhile, Harris declined an invitation to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast, following her GOP opponent’s recent three-hour conversation with Rogan, which has since garnered over 26 million views. Although Harris was campaigning in Houston on Friday—the same day Rogan recorded with Trump in his Austin studio—her team cited a “scheduling” conflict for her absence.

Fox News reported that there were talks between Rogan’s team and Harris’ campaign about an interview, but no arrangement was finalized.

HBO’s Bill Maher criticized Harris’ choice not to appear on Rogan’s show, calling it a “mistake” on his “After Hours” segment on CNN.

When asked by an audience member if it was a misstep for Harris not to join Rogan, Maher agreed, stating, “Yeah, I think it is a mistake. It’s a mistake she didn’t do this show.”

When Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Harris surrogate, asked if Maher had invited Harris, Maher confirmed, “Of course!” jokingly adding, “We would’ve rebooked you for her, I hate to say.”