Trump’s nickname for Harris and her campaign’s response.

Former President Donald Trump stirred controversy on Thursday by suggesting that Vice President Kamala Harris might eventually become the Democratic nominee due to what he deemed as President Biden’s lackluster debate performance.

In a phone interview on Fox & Friends, Trump expressed his belief that a behind-the-scenes power struggle was taking place, and that Harris would likely benefit from it. “I knew there was a palace coup going on, and I assumed that she’d probably be getting it,” he remarked. “She had the advantage.”

Responding swiftly to Trump’s comments, the Harris campaign released a statement referring to him as a “78-year-old criminal” following his appearance on Fox News. The statement humorously questioned Trump’s well-being and critiqued his demeanor, emphasizing that he should not hold the presidency again.

During a rally last Saturday, Trump mockingly labeled Harris as “Laughing Kamala,” and ridiculed her laughter as evidence of her supposed instability. As the days passed, Trump continued to deride Harris with derogatory nicknames such as “lyin'” and “crooked,” while painting her as an “ultra-liberal.”

At a subsequent rally in Charlotte, N.C., Trump declared Harris to be the driving force behind what he described as Biden’s failures, dubbing her as “Lyin’ Kamala Harris.” Despite his consistent use of nicknames for political adversaries, Trump has not settled on a definitive one for Harris.

In a fundraising email circulated by the Trump campaign, Harris was referred to as “COMMIE-LA,” with false claims that she is serving as the “FAKE Commander-in-Chief.” This aggressive rhetoric reflects a growing animosity towards Harris within conservative circles.

The debate over the upcoming presidential debates has also sparked intense reactions from both sides. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, the Republican vice presidential nominee, expressed frustration over not being able to debate Harris, whom he labeled as the “WORST Vice President in this country’s history.” Vance vowed to face any Democratic challenger head-on and confidently asserted his ability to defeat them.

Trump, on the other hand, signaled his willingness to engage in a debate with Harris, proposing that Fox News host the event instead of ABC. In a scathing post on Truth Social, Trump criticized ABC as “Fake News” and mocked Biden and Harris with more disparaging nicknames. He expressed his hope for multiple debates leading up to the 2024 election.

As tensions continue to escalate between Trump and Harris, the stage is set for a potentially contentious battle as the political landscape grows increasingly polarized. Both figures have their passionate supporters and detractors, setting the stage for a fiercely contested election cycle ahead.