The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Resist the Mainstream.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who has mimicked Biden’s 2020 basement campaign by dodging the press while avoiding any hard-hitting questions, has adopted one of Trump’s signature policies.
Harris’s “no tax on tips” proposal not only mirrors a popular stance previously championed by Trump, it also completely contradicts recent Biden admin policies. But have voters–especially younger generations–even noticed?
Trump, of course, did notice, taking to Truth Social to voice his displeasure.
The Republican presidential hopeful ripped Harris for lacking original ideas, dubbing her with his latest new moniker: “Copy Cat Kamala.”
“[Harris] has no ideas, she can only steal from me,” Trump asserted.
Her tip tax policy is also noteworthy given the current administration’s recent implementation of new tax compliance measures for hospitality workers; a contradiction that has led some to question the sincerity of her proposal and whether it represents a genuine policy shift or a political maneuver, with the latter seeming more likely.
This shift also comes at a time when Harris is facing criticism for her lack of clear policy positions.
On top of all that, it comes soon after Democrats falsely portrayed Project 2025 as some “Handmaid’s Tale” dystopia – linking Trump to all of its contents.
Harris’s official campaign website remains largely empty, except for a donation tool and brief biographies of herself and her running mate, Tim Walz.
Critics argue that this void in policy substance is a stark contrast to Trump’s “Agenda 47,” a 20-point platform available on his campaign website; one that’s filled with reasonable policies that resemble some seen within Project 2025.
Trump, however, has already disavowed Project 2025, dubbing it “absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.” But why?
As the media continues to champion Harris despite her lack of policy proposals, Trump should not be playing defense. Instead, he ought to be pushing his message forward; especially targeting younger generations who are already reeling over soaring costs and gas prices.
Some of these winning policies include requiring that businesses verify that their employees are legal US residents; cutting the growth of government spending every year to reduce inflation; enforcing existing immigration laws, including mass deportations, and ensuring married couples don’t pay higher taxes than unmarried couples who live together.
Harris’s team has promised to flesh out her policy positions in the coming weeks, with a vague commitment to “an interview scheduled before the end of the month.”
Other than that, there is nothing. How a Harris presidency will differ from Biden’s remains unanswered, despite her campaign’s angle to distance itself from the current administration’s record.
Harris, in other words, appears to be positioning herself as an outsider running against her own government’s policies, even though she has never been outright clear about this intention.
This strategy stands in contrast to the more active media engagement of her political opponents, including Trump’s recent 70-minute press conference along with Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s numerous appearances on different news shows.
As the election season heats up, the Trump campaign continues to focus on issues such as border security, inflation and economic affordability; all topics that have resonated with many voters, particularly in swing states.
Both campaigns are grappling with how to define their policy platforms, but Trump should lean into what his platform represents as the honeymoon boost Harris received upon announcing her presidential run dwindles.
Americans need solutions, so the candidate with them must embrace them no matter how they’re smeared or ridiculed by Democrats and the media.
It’s a no-brainer.
