Harris' first major campaign mistake

And Trump tries to take credit for bill signed by Biden [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 THE LATEST [Alternate text] [Trump likes to act tough — Harris is proving she is](//link.msnbc.com/click/36429500.62181/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL29waW5pb24vbXNuYmMtb3Bpbmlvbi9qb2UtYmlkZW4tYnVzaW5lc3MtcG9saWN5LWVsZWN0aW9uLTIwMjQtdGltZS1pcy1tb25leS1yY25hMTY2Mzk3P2NpZD1lbWxfbWRhXzIwMjQwODE2JnVzZXJfZW1haWw9ZDdkYzc0NTE3Mjk3YjM5NzFhYTE0ZDZmMzMxMTM1YTA4NzhmOGY2NDBmYTFhMTAxOWYxNTdiNjVjMWI1ZGQxZA/58292da26e4adc7b0b8b4914C33771348//link.msnbc.com/click/36429500.62181/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL29waW5pb24vbXNuYmMtb3Bpbmlvbi9qb2UtYmlkZW4tYnVzaW5lc3MtcG9saWN5LWVsZWN0aW9uLTIwMjQtdGltZS1pcy1tb25leS1yY25hMTY2Mzk3P2NpZD1lbWxfbWRhXzIwMjQwODE2JnVzZXJfZW1haWw9ZDdkYzc0NTE3Mjk3YjM5NzFhYTE0ZDZmMzMxMTM1YTA4NzhmOGY2NDBmYTFhMTAxOWYxNTdiNjVjMWI1ZGQxZA/58292da26e4adc7b0b8b4914E33771348 By]( Symone D. Sanders-Townsend [Donald Trump]( is obsessed with toughness. He praises foreign despots for being [strong](, calls for police to be [rough]( with suspects and uses [blue-collar workers]( as props at his rallies. But Trump's tough-guy persona is an act, and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is calling him out on it. Her campaign and its allies are leaning into Harris' background as a prosecutor, her advocacy in the Senate and her time as vice president to tout her strength. And they're contrasting this with Trump's empty rhetoric and record of failure to show that she's actually the stronger, tougher candidate. This is a preview of Symone D. Sanders-Townsend's latest article. [Read the full column here.]( For more thought-provoking insights from Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, watch ["The Weekend"]( every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on MSNBC. TOP STORIES [Alternate text] PAUL WALDMAN]( [Kamala Harris just made the first major mistake of her campaign]( The ugly truth is taxing tips allows workers to get Social Security benefits later in life. Harris should know better. [Read more.]( HAYES BROWN]( [A secret video shows Project 2025 is still at the heart of Trump's second term]( The man likely to implement the conservative playbook for Trump says he's secretly working on draft executive orders on mass deportation and other policies. [Read more.]( REP. MICKEY DOLLENS]( [Even Republicans are getting fed up with Oklahoma's crusading school superintendent]( I wanted to impeach Oklahoma's school chief last year. Now some Republicans do. [Read more.]( JOYCE VANCE & JENNIFER WEISS-WOLF]( [We're 'postmenopausal' women. And we'd like a word with JD Vance.]( Instead of being mocked or dismissed as a group of faceless caregivers, women like us deserve society's respect. And that starts by making our health a policy priority. [Read more.](     MSNBC LIVE: DEMOCRACY 2024 [Alternate text] On Saturday, September 7th, you can attend "MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024," our inaugural fan event in Brooklyn, New York. Hear thought-provoking conversations about the most pressing issues of our time, and take part in a sit-down dinner for an insider's view of this critical moment in our democracy. [Buy your tickets now.]( TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [ALL IN]( ['I did the insulin': Trump tries to take credit for bill signed by Biden]( [WATCH NOW]( [ALEX WAGNER TONIGHT]( [Stacey Abrams shreds JD Vance for twisting her words on abortion restrictions]( [WATCH NOW]( [CHRIS JANSING REPORTS]( [MSNBC panel reacts to Biden taking the stage with Harris for the first time since dropping out]( [WATCH NOW]( [JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART]( [Texas Gov. Abbott busing fewer migrants north because of decrease in border crossings]( [WATCH NOW]( MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text]   On Monday at 6 p.m. ET, Ari Melber kicks off coverage of the Democratic National Convention, with Joy Reid co-anchoring live from Chicago and Alex Wagner providing special coverage from the convention floor. Then at 8 p.m., they'll join Rachel Maddow and team as they break down day one of the DNC and what it means for the 2024 election. Special coverage begins Next Monday at 6 p.m. ET on MSNBC. Chris just got back from vacation. It just so happened that he was way during one of the most remarkable periods in American presidential political history. There’s a lot to unpack with our guest this week. Heather McGhee is a New York Times bestselling author of “The Sum of Us” and the board chair at Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice group. She joins WITHpod to discuss the most seismic recent political developments, vibes within the Democratic Party and more. [Listen now.](     MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.](   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)