Vice President Kamala Harris' Closing Argument Speech to American Voters

Vice President Kamala Harris' Closing Argument Speech to American Voters

Good evening, America. Good evening, everyone, and thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone. So, listen, one week from today, you will have the chance to make a decision that directly impacts your life, the life of your family, and the future of this country we love. It will probably be the most important vote you ever cast.

This election is more than just a choice between two parties and two different candidates. It is a choice about whether we have a country rooted in freedom for every American or ruled by chaos and division. Many of you watching have probably already cast your ballots, but I know many others are still considering who to vote for or whether you'll vote at all. So tonight, I will speak to everyone about the choice and the stakes in this election.

Look, we know who Donald Trump is. He is the person who stood at this very spot nearly four years ago and sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol to overturn the will of the people in a free and fair election—an election that he knew he lost. Americans died as a result of that attack. 140 law enforcement officers were injured because of that attack. And while Donald Trump sat in the White House watching as the violence unfolded on television, he was told by his staff that the mob wanted to kill his own vice president, and Donald Trump responded with two words: "So what."

America, that’s who Donald Trump is, and that’s who is asking you to give him another four years in the Oval Office—not to focus on your problems but to focus on his. Donald Trump has told us his priorities for a second term. He has an enemies list of people he intends to prosecute. He says that one of his highest priorities is to set free the violent extremists who insulted those law enforcement officers on January 6th. Donald Trump intends to use the United States military against American citizens who simply disagree with him, people he calls "the enemy from within."

America, this is not a candidate for president who is thinking about how to make your life better. This is someone who is unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power. Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other—that is who he is. But America, I am here tonight to say that is not who we are. That is not who we are. That is not who we are.

You see, what Donald Trump has never understood is that e pluribus unum—"out of many, one"—isn’t just a phrase on a dollar bill. It is a living truth about the heart of our nation. Our democracy doesn’t require us to agree on everything. In fact, we like good arguments from time to time—just think of your own family, right? It's not the American way to avoid disagreements. We don’t shy away from robust debate; in fact, we like a good debate, don’t we?

And the fact that someone disagrees with us does not make them the enemy within. They are family, neighbors, classmates, co-workers. They are fellow Americans. And as Americans, we rise and fall together.

America, for too long we have been consumed with too much division, chaos, and mutual distrust. And it can be easy then to forget a simple truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be this way. It is time to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms. It is time to turn the page on the drama and the conflict, the fear and division. It is time for a new generation of leadership in America, and I am ready to offer that leadership as the next President of the United States of America.

Now, let me say, I recognize this has not been a typical campaign. Even though I’ve had the honor of serving as your Vice President for the last four years, I know that many of you are still getting to know who I am. Well, let me tell you—I am someone who has spent most of my career outside of Washington, D.C., so I know that not all the good ideas come from here.

I am not afraid of tough fights against bad actors and powerful interests because, for decades as a prosecutor and a top law enforcement officer of our biggest state, I won fights against big banks that ripped off homeowners, against for-profit colleges that scammed veterans and students, against predators who abused women and children, and against cartels that trafficked in guns, drugs, and human beings. And I did this work because, for as long as I can remember, I have always had an instinct to protect. There’s something about people being treated unfairly or overlooked that, frankly, just gets to me—I don’t like it.

It’s what my mother instilled in me—a drive to hold accountable those who use their wealth or power to take advantage of other people. The drive to protect hardworking Americans who aren’t always seen or heard and deserve a voice. And I will tell you, that is the kind of president I will be.

And look, I’ll be honest with you: I’m not perfect. I make mistakes. But here’s what I promise you—I will always listen to you, even if you don’t vote for me. I will always tell you the truth, even if it is difficult to hear. I will work every day to build consensus and reach compromise to get things done.

And if you give me the chance to fight on your behalf, there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way.

So, look, in less than 90 days, either Donald Trump or I will be in the Oval Office. On day one, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list. When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list full of priorities of what I will get done for the American people. And I will work with everyone—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents—to help Americans who are working hard and still struggling to get ahead.

I have been honored to serve as Joe Biden’s Vice President, but I will bring my own experiences and ideas to the Oval Office. My presidency will be different because the challenges we face are different. Our top priority as a nation four years ago was to end the pandemic and rescue the economy. Now, our biggest challenge is to lower costs—costs that were rising even before the pandemic and that are still too high.

I get it. I still remember our mother sitting at that yellow Formica table late at night, a cup of tea in hand, a pile of bills in front of her, trying to make it all work. And I’ve heard from so many of you who are facing even greater financial pressures.

Donald Trump’s answer to you is the same as it was last time—another trillion dollars in tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations. And this time, he will pay for it with a 20% national sales tax on everything you buy that is imported. Think about it: clothes, food, toys, cell phones—a Trump sales tax that would cost the average family nearly $4,000 more a year. And on top of that, you will pay even more if Donald Trump finally gets his way and repeals the Affordable Care Act, which would throw millions of Americans off their health insurance and take us back to when insurance companies had the power to deny people with pre-existing conditions.

Well, we are not going back. We are not going back. We are not going back because we also know Donald Trump would deliver tax cuts to his billionaire donors. I will deliver tax cuts to working people and the middle class. I will make sure you have a chance not just to get by but to get ahead because I believe in honoring the dignity of work.

I will enact the first-ever federal ban on price gouging on groceries, cap the price of insulin, and limit out-of-pocket prescription costs for all Americans. I will fight to make sure that hardworking Americans can actually afford a place to live.

I’ll never forget how our mother saved up and how excited she was when she could finally afford to buy our first home. I remember how excited she was, and I know that owning a home is not only a measure of financial security—it’s about the pride of your hard work. And as president, I will fight to help first-time home buyers with their down payment, take on the companies that are jacking up rents, and build millions of new homes.

For years, we have heard excuses about why America can’t build enough housing. Enough with the excuses—I’m going to cut the red tape, work with the private sector, and local governments to speed up building and get it done.

And here's the thing, folks: building more homes isn’t just about affordability; it’s about building stronger communities. When families have a stable place to call home, kids do better in school, people feel safer, and neighborhoods grow and thrive.

Look, this is what I know: Americans work hard. And if you work hard in this country, you deserve a fair shot—fair wages, a fair tax system, affordable healthcare, and the opportunity to build a secure future. But I know it’s more than just the economy that’s on your minds.

You want to feel safe. You want to live in a country where you don’t have to worry about mass shootings in schools, or your children walking home safely from the park. You want a president who takes your security seriously, not one who sides with extremists or threatens to use military force against Americans.

As president, I will make public safety my top priority, and that starts with common-sense gun safety laws. I’ll work with law enforcement and communities to address the root causes of violence and build trust between police and the people they serve.

And I’ll work to reform our justice system so that it’s fair for all Americans, and to address the racial disparities that still exist. But we’re not stopping there. From protecting reproductive rights to defending Social Security and Medicare, I’ll fight to make sure that every American has the freedom to make personal decisions and to retire with dignity.

In the America we are building, every child deserves a quality education, no matter where they come from or how much money their parents make. We need to invest in our schools, support our teachers, and make college affordable and job training accessible for everyone who wants it.

And yes, we need to tackle climate change. I know we can create millions of good-paying jobs by investing in clean energy and making our economy stronger, greener, and more resilient. When we protect our environment, we protect our future.

So, America, this is what I’m asking for: I’m asking for your trust and your vote, to bring this country together and move forward, not backward. I’m asking you to choose hope over fear, unity over division, and democracy over autocracy. I’m asking you to help me write a new chapter in our nation’s story, where we don’t let fear drive us, where we work together for a brighter tomorrow.

Thank you, and may God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. Let’s get to work, America.