Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’ Very Different Labor Day Messages

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have shared very different messages on social media on Monday to commemorate Labor Day.
Labor Day is observed as a federal holiday on the first Monday of September and recognizes the American labor movement and its successes in expanding and protecting workers’ rights. In addition, Labor Day, per the U.S. Department of Labor, celebrates the year-round efforts of American workers who diligently contribute to U.S. society and the economy.
As the 2024 election draws closer, Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, is set to face off against Harris, who won the Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on July 21.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wished a happy Labor Day to American workers, but also took aim at Harris for high gas prices and transportation costs.
“Happy Labor Day to all of our American Workers who represent the Shining Example of Hard Work and Ingenuity. Under Comrade Kamala Harris, all Americans are suffering during this Holiday weekend – High Gas Prices, Transportation Costs are up, and Grocery Prices are through the roof. We can’t keep living under this weak and failed ‘Leadership’,” Trump wrote.
He added in a separate Truth Social post: “In my First Term, we achieved Major Successes to protect American Workers by negotiating Free and Fair Trade Deals, passing the USMCA (U.S./Mexico/Canada Agreement), and giving Businesses and their Workers the tools to thrive.We also invested heavily in Education and Job Training programs for those who wish to expand upon their abilities, and be successful in an Industry that they love…But Kamala and Biden have undone all of that. When I return to the White House, we will continue upon our Successes by creating an Environment that ensures ALL Workers, and Businesses, have the opportunity to prosper and achieve their American Dream. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Meanwhile, Harris took to X, formerly Twitter, to thank workers, activists and organizers of the labor movement.
“On Labor Day, we thank the organizers, activists, workers, and leaders of the labor movement who have helped build this nation. Our entire country benefits from the work of unions because when unions are strong, America is strong,” Harris wrote on X along with a video showing Harris speaking on the importance of union workers.
Newsweek has reached out to Harris’ and Trump’s campaign via email for comment.
In another post on X, Harris continued to thank unions for their work: “You may not be a union member, but thank unions for the five-day workweek. You may not be a union member, but thank unions for the eight-hour workday. You may not be a union member, but thank unions for sick leave, paid family leave, and vacation time.”
However, Harris’ campaign took aim at Trump over his previous remarks on union workers.
“Trump on union workers: “They get their little 5 percent, they get another 2 percent… All of a sudden they’re making more money than the people that own the company,” Harris HQ wrote on X.
In addition to the messages, according to Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott, Harris’ campaign is expected to hold several events in key swing states.
It is unclear what those events are and if the Trump campaign will hold any events today.
“Striking on this holiday to honor and recognize the American labor movement, the Harris campaign is blitzing the country with events today in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Virginia, while the Trump campaign has zero events scheduled to celebrate labor,” McDermott said on X.
The messages come as the economy has become a key issue for voters as Harris and Trump aim to address the issue before November.
Harris took the stage at a rally in the swing state of North Carolina last month as she introduced several proposals aimed at bringing down the cost of groceries, the housing market and other essential goods. The vice president’s plan includes tax cuts, a federal ban on price gouging by food producers and offering down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers who qualify.
“As president, I will take on the high costs that matter most to most Americans, like the cost of food,” she said. “We all know that prices went up during the pandemic when the supply chains shut down and failed. But our supply chains have improved and prices are still too high.”
While Trump spoke about his economic policies at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, last month stating that he would expand his stance on tariffs on foreign countries.
“We are going to have 10 percent to 20 percent tariffs on foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years,” he said at last month’s rally. “We are gonna charge them 10 percent to 20 percent to come in and take advantage of our country because that is what they have been doing.”
Both Harris and Trump have faced criticism for their economic policies as Harris has received criticism for promising to go after price gouging as a way to tackle inflation as economists warned the plan could backfire, and likely does not address the root problems of it.
Meanwhile, economists have warned against Trump’s proposal of widespread tariffs, a type of tax that a country charges on imported goods from another country, as it would cause prices to rise for American consumers and hurt U.S. businesses while likely triggering retaliatory tariffs.