SUMMARY
In the final week before Election Day, there's no indication of who has the edge in the race for the White House. Former President Trump, Vice President Harris and their running mates each campaigned at full-throttle in swing states today, and much of their focus was on controversial remarks made by speakers at a Trump rally just ahead of election day.
View the transcript here.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- What did Kamala Harris say about Donald Trump's closing message to voters?
- Where was Trump's rally?
- How did a comedian's remarks about Puerto Rico at Trump's rally spark backlash?
- Who defended the rally and what was said there?
- How are the two presidential candidates trying to appeal to voters in the final days of the campaign?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Why do you think the Trump campaign is using so much of the final days of the campaign to generate controversy?
- What do you think voters pay attention the most at the end of presidential campaigns?
Media literacy: Read your answer to the second focus question above (What do you think voters pay attention to the most at the end of presidential campaigns?). Based on your answer, how do you think news organizations should be covering the final days of the campaign?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Did you know that residents of Puerto Rico are American citizens but that they cannot vote in national elections such as presidential elections? (That is, unless they move to one of the 50 states). Why is that? Read the article below to learn more about Puerto Rico's status as a territory, as well as reaction to comments from Trump's rally. Then discuss —
- How do you think not being able to vote in national elections impacts day-to-day life in Puerto Rico?
- Do you think the comedian's comments at Trump's rally might impact the election, even if they weren't spoken by Trump himself? (Use this map to see the population of Puerto Rican by state.)
Residents of Puerto Rico can’t vote for president, but their anger at Trump is still shaping the race
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