Gender divide shapes American vote: Trump vs Harris showdown

57% of women will vote for Kamala Harris, and 58% of men for Donald Trump, according to a survey conducted by NBC in the week preceding the elections. American media emphasise the importance of gender-based support for both candidates.

"Financial Times" reminds us that Harris could become the first female president of the United States, with "women flocking to her" for reasons such as her fight for the right to abortion. In this context, the British newspaper cites the words of 58-year-old Deborah Matlock, an analyst at a logistics company, who attended one of Harris's rallies in Michigan. Matlock waited for three hours to see the Democrat candidate with her own eyes and hear her speech. She admitted in a conversation with "FT" that she thought about her daughters. "They need the right to abortion. They need women's healthcare," she explained. Harris is supported by music stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, which is why the current vice president is expected to gain even more votes.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, opposes the liberalisation of abortion rights, and his message is mainly directed at men. "Trump has exploited male fears and resentments, as well as traditional worries about immigration and the economy. He also presented himself as someone sharing their likes, from golf to UFC (mixed martial arts organisation - editor's note)," reads "FT".

According to Republican voters, Trump is putting the USA back on track, especially in the economy. "It's a spark, a hyena that keeps laughing," said 72-year-old Tommy Brown about Kamala Harris. The former car mechanic, who worked, among other places, in Afghanistan, supports Trump.

It's the former president who is the media hero, whether in a positive or negative light. "The Economist", which officially endorsed Kamala Harris, writes about the "unacceptable risk" associated with Trump's second term. It should be noted that in Anglo-Saxon media, official endorsement of a candidate is not unusual - endorsements are given by the opinion section of the newspaper, whose role is to assess current events.

The information sections of newspapers distance themselves from these practices and, in theory, aim to provide readers with reliable information. Kamala Harris is also endorsed by "The New York Times", while "The Washington Post" at the last minute withdrew its endorsement for any of the candidates, a decision made by Jeff Bezos. The billionaire is not only the owner of Amazon but also of the "WP". In response to Bezos's decision, who probably didn't want to fall out of favour with Trump should he win the election, some journalists resigned, and 200,000 readers cancelled their subscriptions. Bezos and his company Blue Origin, which focuses on space exploration, are competing for contracts with SpaceX of Elon Musk.

Donald Trump has been endorsed by the tabloid "The New York Post", among others.

"Tens of millions of Americans will vote for Donald Trump. Some will do so with regret because they believe Kamala Harris is a radical Marxist who will destroy their country. Some are filled with national pride because Trump makes them believe that with him in the White House, America will stand tall. Others will make a cold, calculated decision to vote for Trump as a calculated risk," claims "The Economist".

"The Economist" adds that "Trump behaved appallingly," inciting the attack on the Capitol on 6 January 2021. It is noted, however, that American institutions survived, but a second time might not be successful.

"Trump's policy is worse, the world is more dangerous, and many sober, responsible people who curbed his worst instincts during his first term have been replaced by true believers," it reads. On the other hand, Harris may not be an outstanding president, but "she won't lead to disaster".

"The New Yorker", which on its cover features the Statue of Liberty walking a tightrope, believes that Trump is running a "campaign of revenge" and will continue regardless of the election outcome. The magazine highlights the importance of the words spoken by the Republican during the last rally in Pennsylvania. Trump confessed that he should not have left the White House in 2020. "On the day I left, we had the safest border in our country's history. I shouldn't have left, I mean it seriously," he assessed.

On the other side of the aisle is the aforementioned "New York Post". The newspaper favours Trump primarily for economic reasons. The Republican in this aspect is expected to "knock out" Harris.