Conventions Clash: Harris and Trump Secure Nominations Amid Stark Party Contrasts
Staff Editor National Conventions Conclude, Highlighting Stark Contrasts Between Parties
The Democratic and Republican National Conventions wrapped up this week, officially nominating Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump as their respective party candidates for the upcoming presidential election. Beyond the speeches and celebrity appearances, the conventions’ atmospheres, shaped by stage designs and audience participation, underscored each party’s priorities and messaging strategies.
Christian Grose, a professor of political science and public policy at the University of Southern California, noted significant differences in the conventions’ stagecraft and audience engagement. “Harris’ backdrop was more traditional American imagery while Trump’s was Trump imagery,” Grose told Business Insider. “That’s an important contrast.”
At the RNC, audience members wore bandages on their ears, symbolizing support for Trump following a recent assassination attempt. Trump’s defiant pose after the incident was prominently displayed on posters and t-shirts throughout the convention hall.
Stage designs also differed markedly. Harris spoke in front of a row of American flags at the DNC, while Trump’s RNC appearance featured a Broadway-style display of his name in lights. Grose observed that this aligns with Trump’s brand and echoes his 2016 campaign rhetoric.
The conventions’ signage further highlighted the parties’ divergent approaches. RNC signs bore slogans like “Make America Strong Again!” and “American Oil From American Soil,” alongside more contentious messages such as “Mass Deportation Now!” and “Stop Biden’s Border Bloodbath.” In contrast, DNC signs featured phrases like “Union Yes!” and “We Love Joe Biden,” with many simply reading “USA.”
Grose noted that while both positive and negative messaging can resonate with voters, conventions typically aim for a positive tone. “The positive signage and the positive message can make voters feel better and more motivated,” he explained, suggesting that this approach might be more effective in swaying undecided voters.
As the election season intensifies, these contrasting strategies and visual representations offer insight into each party’s core messages and voter outreach efforts.
