Only a few days prior to Election Day, voter discussions are tense. The atmosphere around Trump and Harris is fraught with tension, worry, and anticipation. Daily top discussion topics include:

• Culture issues
• The economy
• Border security
• Housing

Trump continues to hold a major advantage in social media discussions and a smaller edge in sentiment.

Trump Dominates Discussion Volume

Across the four top topics, Trump significantly outpaces Harris in mention volume:

• Trump gains nearly 20,000 daily mentions compared to Harris's 8,520.
• Voters discuss him more, both positively and negatively.
• The disparity suggests Trump’s rhetoric and policies elicit a greater response.
• Support for Trump on border security and economic deregulation contrast starkly with the criticisms from his detractors.

In contrast, Harris’s comparatively limited public engagement may indicate lower enthusiasm:

• Lower levels of attention may demonstrate Harris’s challenge connecting with voters.
• Those who could perceive her policies as either overly cautious or insufficiently distinct from Biden’s may not feel the need to weigh in.
• Her lower engagement on core issues potentially suggests a voter base that is less energized or divided in their support.

Trump’s Slight Sentiment Advantage

Though Trump’s higher volume might imply broader reach, the sentiment attached to both candidates is tighter.

• Excluding rallies, Trump leads Harris by a slight margin, holding an average sentiment score of 44.25% compared to Harris's 43.5%.
• A minor advantage suggests, despite divisive rhetoric, Trump’s stance on core issues resonates more positively with voters
• Those seeking strong leadership on economic and border policies are particularly positive toward him.

Culture Issues

Ideologies and culture war issues are relatively evenly matched for both candidates at 44%.

Trump

• This parity highlights the sharp cultural divide among Americans, where each candidate represents a competing ideological vision.
• Trump supporters view his cultural stances as a defense against progressive overreach and Democratic “dehumanization” of conservative values.
• There’s intense backlash against comments made by Democratic leaders and media who call Trump voters “Nazis,” “fascists,” and “garbage.”

Harris

• Harris’s alignment with progressive causes receives a mixed reception.
• While some view her as a voice for inclusivity and social justice, detractors interpret her policies as leaning too far left, threatening American values.
• Harris faces difficulty in uniting a broad coalition under a progressive platform, particularly moderate or non-woke Democrats.

Economic Issues

Economic issues a top issue in the 2024 race, with Trump holding a slight sentiment advantage—44% versus Harris's 43%.

Trump

• Trump advocates emphasizing his commitment to deregulation and tax reductions, which they argue will spur economic growth and alleviate inflationary pressures.
• They say he represents a return to a more business-friendly, self-sustaining economy.

Harris

• Harris’s unclear economic policies receive mixed responses.
• Her tax proposals, particularly on unrealized capital gains, are portrayed by critics as burdensome on the middle class and small businesses.
• Her supporters argue these measures will reduce wealth inequality, but critics frame her policies as economically harmful.
• Voters struggle between seeking economic equality and fearing increased government control.

Border Security

Border security is another critical area where Trump has an edge—43% to Harris's 41%. Frustration is high regarding Biden-Harris immigration policies.

Trump

• Trump’s tough stance on immigration resonates with voters concerned about resource allocation and national security.
• There are repeated grievances about Democrats prioritizing illegal immigrants over veterans and struggling Americans.
• Sentiment is urgent and concerned, with many voicing fears that current policies undermine public safety and strain social services.

Harris

• Harris’s role as “border czar” draws substantial criticism, with opponents framing her as ineffective in controlling the border.
• People say she’s indifferent to the consequences open borders have on American communities.
• There is public anger over drug trafficking and crime, with Harris getting blame as unwilling or unable to address the issue.
• Her supporters counter by advocating for policies of inclusivity and support for migrant communities.

Housing

Housing sentiment is balanced at 46% for both candidates. There is shared public frustration over affordability and living costs which transcends partisan lines.

• Rising housing expenses, coupled with inflation, fuel widespread discontent.
• Trump supporters argue his approach to deregulation and reduced taxes fostered a more affordable housing market.
• Harris supporters emphasize her efforts toward housing reforms aimed at long-term affordability and protections for vulnerable groups.
• However, proposed initiatives are overshadowed by the immediate economic strain Americans feel.

Left-leaning Americans are angrily canceling their “Washington Post” subscriptions to the tune of 250,000—though apparently not their Amazon Prime accounts. Following a controversy in which WaPo and Amazon owner Jeff Bezos barred the newspaper from making a presidential endorsement.

UPDATE: The number of cancellations since Friday’s revelation now exceeds 250,000, NPR can report.

That represents approximately 10 percent of all paid circulation. https://t.co/XrDDWR3Vt5

— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) October 29, 2024

The contradiction in liberal outcry against Bezos reveals the tension between stated ideals and real-life consumer choices. Americans are disillusioned with mainstream media and left leaning voters are showing their dissatisfaction by unsubscribing.

However, many on the right are pointing out various coping mechanisms and the selective outrage they see among liberals. They point out members of the media like Jennifer Rubin who criticized LA Times reporters who did not resign after the paper also made no endorsement. Rubin, who works for WaPo, has yet to resign.

Jennifer Rubin @JRubinBlogger cheered a reporter who quit in response to the LA times not endorsing either presidential canidate. She works for the Washington post which is also not endorsing this election let's reminder her that she is a hypocrite unless she resigns immediately pic.twitter.com/2mvpNBzS6N

— Steve (@Steve113875651) October 25, 2024

Unsub from WaPo

Liberals often frame their decision to cancel their “Washington Post” as personal empowerment and ethical consumerism. They invoke, “taking a stand,” “voting with my wallet,” and “demanding truth.” Many are disillusioned with WaPo, using terms like “biased reporting” and “supporting ethical journalism” to validate their choice to unsubscribe.

Won’t Cancel Prime

However, there is deafening silence on the same activists canceling their Amazon Prime memberships. They justify this with practical language emphasizing convenience and necessity, such as “just too good to give up” and “I can’t live without my Prime.” This rationalization for keeping services that contradict their activism suggests a kind of opportunistic hypocrisy.

Language Analysis

Coping Mechanisms

Among those outraged about Jeff Bezos’s decision regarding WaPo endorsements, there is tendency toward self-justification. They use rationalizing phrases like “we deserve better,” portraying canceling subscriptions as a principled choice. This hints at cognitive dissonance, where values are flexible depending on convenience.

Hypocrisy Indicators

There’s a noticeable double standard where users critique WaPo for perceived corporate media bias yet justify Amazon Prime as essential, despite Amazon’s controversial practices.

Phrases like “corporate monsters are everywhere” reflect a resignation to the omnipresence of corporate influence, exposing a discrepancy between ideological intentions and consumer behavior. This focus suggests an emotional, issue-based hierarchy in which certain values can be sidelined based on the perceived relevance of the company involved.

An Amazon warehouse worker's 'thank you' bag for working Prime Big Deal Days earlier this month pic.twitter.com/PAEADIQvSs

— Michael Sainato (@msainat1) October 29, 2024

Owning the Narrative

Many express a need for narratives that align with their personal values, reflecting a belief that media consumption should ideologically agree with readers. This causes a pattern of binary thinking where WaPo is labeled as becoming antagonistic to liberal values, while Amazon is a practical tool divorced from these political concerns.

Cognitive dissonance is a recurring theme as liberals openly struggle to reconcile their ideals with convenience. The discussions highlight how modern consumer habits complicate the pursuit of ideological purity, as practicality frequently overrides principles.

Performative Activism

Some describe their WaPo cancellation as part of “cancel culture” or an act of visibility rather than a purely ethical stance. This suggests it’s either performative or rhetorical. For some, canceling WaPo is less about values and more about participating in visible, symbolic acts.

In voter discussions around 75% of comments are negative toward WaPo, while Amazon Prime discussion is mostly neutral or slightly positive. This difference underscores a greater discontent with media credibility than corporate ethics, suggesting a prioritization of ideological alignment over ethical consistency.

The top trending topics related to the election less than a week away double down on consistent voter priorities. Americans continue to focus on the economy, border security, national security, and identity politics.

📊ATLAS POLLS - SWING STATES

The latest Atlas polls in the swing states show significant leads for Trump in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona. Nevada, Wisconsin, and North Carolina show differences of less than 1 percentage point between the candidates. pic.twitter.com/84bMO8VzRZ

— AtlasIntel (@atlas_intel) October 29, 2024

Economic Concerns: Trump Advantage

Economic dissatisfaction is a consistent top voter issue. Widespread criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to inflation, taxation, and spending gives Trump the advantage.

Voters see rising living costs as a direct consequence of government spending, which they believe exacerbates economic instability. The see Trump-era policies as beneficial for growth and job creation, serving as a model for stability that many supporters wish to see reinstated.

Border Security: Trump Advantage

Frustration about the border remains a highly contentious topic. Harris critics highlight her failure to protect the border, connecting lax immigration policies to rising crime. Those who accuse Harris of prioritizing illegal immigrants over citizens cultivate fears of demographic changes that Democrats hope will favor them.

Trump’s promises of strict immigration reform and mass deportations attract supporters concerned with security and economic stability. His base is strongly in favor of his leadership on the border, calling for immediate change.

Global Tensions: Trump Advantage

High anxiety over national and global security also spotlights concerns about Harris’s ability to handle foreign policy. Voters particularly worry about Ukraine, Russia, and the Middle East.

Trump supporters say he is stabilizing figure who can prevent further conflicts, whereas Harris would provoke international tensions. This apprehension, heightened by recent escalation in the Middle East, positions the election as crucial to America's future security and global standing.

Ideological Divide and Identity Politics

In the ideological battle, conservatives say a Harris presidency threatens individual freedoms, often associating her policies with authoritarianism. Meanwhile, Harris supporters say Trump embodies extremism and intolerance—often calling him fascist or a Nazi.

The Trump rally in Madison Square Garden drew significant divisive rhetoric, intensifying tensions. The cultural and ideological divide leads both sides to believe the other is an existential threat to the country or damaging democracy.