Overview:
Democrats are using the "weird" label to criticize Trump and Vance's views on abortion and parenthood.
The label appears to have given Democrats a narrative advantage in the campaign.
Trump's campaign has responded by highlighting what it sees as unusual views among Democrats.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her Democratic allies have launched a new line of attack against Republicans, branding Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, as “weird.” This criticism is centered around Vance’s comments on abortion and his previous suggestion that politicians without biological children don’t have a direct stake in the country.
A Narrative Advantage for Democrats
The “weird” label appears to have given Democrats a significant narrative advantage, one that they rarely had when President Joe Biden was still running for reelection. Trump’s campaign has responded by trying to flip the script, highlighting what it sees as unusual or out-of-touch views among Democrats.
A Strategic Communication Tactic
According to David Karpf, a strategic communication professor at George Washington University, labeling Republican comments as “weird” is a concise and effective way to resonate with Harris supporters. “It frustrates opponents, leading them to further amplify it through off-balance responses,” Karpf noted.