Harris and Trump focus on Sunbelt states during final weekend push for votes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump zeroed in on the Sun Belt on Saturday as they embarked on one last weekend quest to sway every undecided voter in the battleground states. They pitched rival agendas on the economy — and more — that each insisted is what Americans want.

“We have overcome every attack, every abuse and even two assassination attempts,” Trump said at a rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, outside Charlotte. “And now it all comes down to this.”

Later, Trump headed to Virginia, which isn't considered a battleground state, but offered a similar message, telling supporters that there is no way he can lose and is on the cusp of “the greatest political victory in the history of our country.”

Trump predicted he would win not just the Electoral College count, but a majority of votes cast across the country, which he failed to do in two previous tries.

“We’re going to win the popular vote,” Trump told the crowd. “I think we have a really good chance to win the popular vote.”

Harris, meanwhile, has been urging her supporters to vote early so she can be elected and provide the “new generation of leadership” that she argues she represents.

“I am ready to offer that leadership as the next president of the United States of America,” she said during remarks in a rally at the Atlanta Civic Center parking lot. She had to pause a few times to allow medics to attend to people who had fainted after spending hours in the heat.

“It's hot out here, Atlanta,” the vice president said.

It was unclear whether Harris herself had voted early. Campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler said Saturday that Harris plans to vote by mail, but he could not say whether she had returned her ballot to her home state of California. Trump confirmed Saturday that he'll vote in person on Tuesday in Florida, despite saying previously he'd vote early.

“Anybody here already voted?” she asked the Atlanta crowd, which cheered loudly in response. “Oh wow. Oh my goodness. Thank you, thank you."

It was part of a final, frenzied push by Harris, Trump, their running mates and their high-profile stand-ins to encourage people to vote early or in person on Tuesday, Election Day.

Harris’ campaign hoped for a “high-impact” moment with a two-minute spot to air Sunday during NFL games on CBS and FOX, including the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions, two swing state teams. It shows Harris interacting with people during the campaign and talking directly to viewers.

“Now I’m asking for your vote because as president I will get up every day and fight for the American people,” she says at the end.

Harris Campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon projected confidence Saturday on a conference call with reporters as both sides embarked on that final sprint to get out the vote. “If you can hear the joy in my voice it is because we are in GOTV weekend,” she said.

Trump, meanwhile, spoke wistfully, as he has at some of his recent rallies, about how after nearly a decade of campaigning, his final race is nearing its end.

“We’re going to meet again many times I hope," the former president said in the first of two North Carolina rallies. "This has been the thrill of a lifetime for me and for you.”

At the second rally, in Greensboro, he said he'll do two more days of rallies “and then we shut it down, never to happen again.” He said he'll then have “a different form of rally — a rally for our country.”

Later, he laughed along with a sexist joke about Harris. As Trump repeated his claim, without evidence, that Harris lied about working at McDonalds in her youth, someone in the crowd yelled, “she worked on the corner." Trump laughed, looked around and pointed toward a section of the crowd.

“This place is amazing,” he said to cheers. “Just remember, it's other people saying it. It's not me.”

Planes carrying Harris and Trump met on the tarmac in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the vice president ended her campaign day.

She was joined there by actress Kerry Washington and rocker Jon Bon Jovi, who played a newer song “The People’s House” that he said he wrote shortly after the January 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump insurrectionists.

“We still have work to do,” Harris told her Atlanta rally, adding, “Make no mistake, we will win.”

She also called her campaign and supporters “the promise of America."

President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the race this summer when it became clear he could not win, was doing his part for the Democrats by making what could be his final 2024 campaign stop. Biden, who turns 82 this month, struck a nostalgic tone as he tried to help get out the vote for Harris and running mate Tim Walz during an event at the carpenters' local in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

And, as he's done frequently lately, Biden also went off script to offer some especially blunt statements. After slamming Trump and his supporters on policy issues, the president added, “I know some of you guys are tempted to think he’s this macho guy … but, I’m serious, these are the kind of guys you’d like to smack in the ass."

Walz joined actress Eva Longoria at a get-out-the-vote event in Las Vegas before the Minnesota governor's events in Flagstaff and Tucson, Arizona. GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance was also in Arizona and Nevada. First lady Jill Biden was campaigning in Georgia and Hillary Clinton was appearing for Harris in Tampa, Florida.

Walz visited a few homes in the Las Vegas suburbs. He and Democratic Rep. Dina Titus spoke with a couple who were excited to see both politicians — and were hopeful.

“We're gonna win,” Walz said. “These last days matter and it will be on the margins.”

Elsewhere, other voters sounded notes of cautious optimism about the election outcome.

Marzella and Darrell Pittman said they canceled weekend plans after learning that Harris would be in Atlanta and drove four hours from Alabama to attend.

Marzella thinks Harris will win, but Darrell is nervous because many of the young Black men in his life support Trump and are hesitant to vote for a woman for president.

“It’s tight, and the other side, they got a lot of our people believing in that side, just like we believe in Kamala,” he said.

Until the election, “we have nothing but voting on our mind and we’re talking to everybody,” Marzella Pittman said.

Trump supporters were equally passionate about their candidate.

“Mr. Trump came in a garbage truck. I came in a garbage bag,” said Elmer Baber, who lives in Gastonia, North Carolina and attended Trump's rally. It was a reference to Trump riding in a garbage truck after Biden said Trump's supporters were “garbage." Biden later said he was talking about rhetoric from a speaker at Trump's recent event at Madison Square Garden.

Colvin reported from Gastonia, North Carolina, and Superville from Washington. Associated Press writers Chris Megerian in Washington, Matt Brown in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta and Isabella Volmert in Warren, Michigan, contributed to this report.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Supporters arrives before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Supporters listen as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump waves at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris departs after speaking during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Supporters watch as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

This combination of photos shows Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, speaking during a rally in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 12, 2024, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, right, speaking during a rally in Warren, Mich., Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo)

A supporter cheers as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump smiles at a campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak at a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Whitney Bruce of Roanoke, Va., looks at items for sale before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Salem Va., Saturday, Nov 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Spike Lee speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Attendees wait for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris to arrive at a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

A member of law enforcement takes position before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

FILE - House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., speaks at a campaign rally, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

A supporter holds a sign for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Whitney Bruce of Roanoke, Va., looks at items for sale before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Salem Va., Saturday, Nov 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

A supporter holds a sign at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Britain's Prince William offered words of encouragement to a group of young environmentalists and later joined a rugby practice at a local school as he opened a visit to South Africa on Monday that will focus heavily on climate change and conservation.

The Prince of Wales will have four days of engagements in Cape Town, during which he'll see his annual Earthshot Prize award $1.2 million in grants to five organizations for innovative environmental ideas. The awards ceremony will take place in a 470-foot-long reusable dome that will be packed up and taken away after the event.

The Earthshot awards on Wednesday night are the centerpiece of William's trip to South Africa's second-biggest city. But the 42-year-old heir to the throne will also attend a global wildlife summit, visit a botanical garden on the slopes of Cape Town's landmark Table Mountain, spend time at a sea rescue base and meet with a local fishing community.

The prince will use the visit to highlight other issues close to his heart, such as the work of rangers on the front line of conservation efforts, officials said.

William's first engagement was joining more than 100 young environmentalists aged between 18 and 35, who sat in small groups and discussed climate and conservation issues. William jumped from group to group and spent a few minutes talking with them.

“I loved chatting to you today. What you are all doing is incredible," William said at the end. “You are the leaders. You are the people that are going to make the difference going forward. Your solutions and your impact are so important and so needed right now."

William formed the Earthshot Prize through his Royal Foundation in 2020 to encourage new ideas to solve environmental problems, with a focus on young entrepreneurs and innovators. It launched in 2021 and the first three awards ceremonies were held in Britain, the United States and Singapore.

William last visited Africa in 2018 but he has a strong connection to the continent. He traveled there as a boy after the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in a Paris car crash in 1997. He and his wife, Kate, got engaged at a wildlife conservancy in Kenya in 2010. And he said he came up with the idea for the Earthshot awards while in Namibia in 2018.

“Africa has always held a special place in my heart as somewhere I found comfort as a teenager, where I proposed to my wife, and most recently, as the founding inspiration behind the Earthshot Prize,” William said in a statement ahead of his visit.

Kate, Princess of Wales, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are not traveling to South Africa. Kate, 42, only recently returned to some public duties after completing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.

William’s visit follows soon after his brother Harry, the Duke of Sussex, visited South Africa and neighboring Lesotho last month for a youth charity he set up in southern Africa with a member of Lesotho’s royal family.

The visit also comes as the finances of William and his father, King Charles III, come under scrutiny following an investigation by The Sunday Times newspaper and Britain’s Channel 4 television. The probe found their private estates made millions of pounds by renting properties to government entities, including the armed forces, the National Health Service and public schools.

The two estates, the king’s Duchy of Lancaster and the prince’s Duchy of Cornwall, hold portfolios of commercial, residential and agricultural properties that provide personal income to the royals.

The Duchy of Lancaster responded by saying that while the king takes an interest in the estate, day-to-day operations are overseen by an independent council and executives. The Duchy of Cornwall said the estate operates with a commercial imperative “alongside our commitment to restoring the natural environment and generating positive social impact for our communities.’’

William briefly broke away from environmental issues to travel to a high school in the underprivileged Ocean View neighborhood on the fringes of Cape Town on Monday.

There, William — dressed in a dark suit and gray shirt — joined in at a rugby practice. He kicked and passed the ball but also became the target of playful tackles from a few of the youngsters. They yelled: “Let’s tackle the prince!" before two of them grabbed a smiling William.

Rugby is one of South Africa's favorite sports and its national team is the reigning world champion. Three former South Africa rugby stars were at the practice session to greet the prince.

Wiliam is also a follower of the game and a spokesperson for Kensington Palace had promised that the prince would play some rugby.

Associated Press writer Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report.

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

A photographer lies on the ground to take a picture of Britain's Prince William greeting pupils at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William, greets pupils at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William poses for a photo at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William plays rugby with pupils at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William plays rugby with pupils at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William plays rugby with pupils at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William plays rugby with pupils at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William waves at well wishers during his visit at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William, is tackled playing rugby with pupils at the Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-pool)

Britain's Prince William, left, speaks to an attendee at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William speaks to an attendee at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, center, and Hannah Jones, right, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, speak to a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, center, and Hannah Jones, center right, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, speak to a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William listens to a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William talks to a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William visits the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, center, and Hannah Jones, right, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, speak to a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Nomzamo Mbatha, left, the host of Earthshot Week, takes a selfie with Britain's Prince William and a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, center, and Hannah Jones, center right, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, speak to a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, speaks to a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, center, poses for a photo with a group of young people, with Table Mountain in the background, at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, speaks to a group of young people, with Table Mountain in the background at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Nomzamo Mbatha, left, the host of Earthshot Week, takes a selfie with Britain's Prince William and a group of young people at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, speaks to a group of young people, with Table Mountain in the background at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday Nov. 4, 2024. (Gianluigi Guercia/Pool Photo via AP)