In her bid to secure support from black voters ahead of the upcoming US presidential election, Democratic hopeful Kamala Harris drew flak over a new campaign ad which targets black men’s love life.
The ad, which targets users on Instagram and Snapchat, features a speed dating scenario designed to encourage young voters to participate in the election.
In the advertisement, a man approaches a group of women holding balloons and is questioned about his income, height, and fitness habits.During the conversation, one of the women inquires about his “plans to vote,” to which the man responds, “Uh, I didn’t plan on it.” This response prompts all the women to pop their balloons, and a caption on the screen reads, “Don’t get popped,” followed by “Vote, Election Day is November 5.”
The ad has been played around university campuses, including those in the battleground state of Arizona. However, it has drawn online mockery after it was revealed that 65 percent of the ad spending was directed at women.
X users expressed their disapproval, with comments ranging from “Wow. I don’t know what to say. Screams desperate,” to “Belittling and insulting.”
One user questioned the effectiveness of the ad, asking, “Does the Harris Walz team really believe this will convince anyone to vote for them?” Another user quipped, “Glad I’m not a black man, because this would make me irrationally furious.”
Meanwhile, With less than 3 weeks till the elections, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump brought star power to their campaign rallies on Saturday, each targeting the other’s stamina as they urged early voting.
Harris featured pop stars Lizzo and Usher in Detroit and Atlanta, while calling Trump “exhausted.” In Pennsylvania, Trump delivered a lengthy speech with support from Elon Musk. With polls tight and Election Day approaching, both candidates fought hard for voter support.