'Unacceptable risk': The Economist endorses Harris — fearing a 'catastrophe' under Trump

31 October 2024

Former President Donald Trump has been attacking Vice President Kamala Harris relentlessly on the economy, blaming the Biden Administration for the inflation of the last four years. But Harris has responded that some of the things Trump is proposing — including substantial new tariffs on imported goods — would be terrible for consumers.

Americans, Harris warns, can expect to pay much higher prices if Trump wins the election and follows through on his tariffs proposal.

On Thursday, October 31, Harris picked up an endorsement from The Economist.

Although the Economist writers are critical of Harris at times, they make it clear that economically, they consider Trump a much riskier option.

The Economist announced its endorsement on X, formerly Twitter.

"The Economist is endorsing Kamala Harris," the publication tweeted. "By making Donald Trump leader of the free world, Americans would gamble with the economy, the rule of law and international peace. Voters who minimize the risks are deluding themselves."

The Economist notes Trump voters' criticisms of Harris.

"Next week," The Economist's editorial board argues, "tens of millions of Americans will vote for Donald Trump. Some will do so out of grievance, because they think Kamala Harris is a radical Marxist who will destroy their country. Some are fired up by national pride, because Mr. Trump inspires in them the belief that, with him in the White House, America will stand tall. Yet some will coolly opt to vote Trump as a calculated risk."

The Economist goes on to say, however, that while it has reservations about Harris, it is a lot more worried about Trump.

Trump, according to The Economist, is dangerous not only from an economist standpoint, but also, because of the threat he poses to "the rule of law."

"It is hard to imagine Ms. Harris being a stellar president, though people can surprise you," The Economist's editorial board writes. "But you cannot imagine her bringing about a catastrophe…. Presidents do not have to be saints, and we hope a second Trump presidency would avoid disaster. But Mr. Trump poses an unacceptable risk to America and the world.”

Read The Economist's full editorial at this link (subscription required).

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