Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on Kamala Harris, branding her a Marxist and communist in an effort to discredit her and appeal to voters. This tactic, known as red baiting, aims to invoke Cold War-era fears and sway specific voter demographics, including Hispanic, Latino, and older Americans.

Trump has frequently labeled Harris a Marxist and communist, hoping to paint her as a dangerous left-wing extremist. This approach is part of a broader strategy to evoke the "red scare" of the Cold War, an era marked by fears of communist infiltration in the U.S.

Experts point out that Harris’s policies and political career do not align with Marxist or communist ideologies. "She's not a Marxist, she's not a communist," said Thomas Zeitzoff, a professor at American University who specializes in political violence. He explained that Trump’s use of these terms is a classic political tactic aimed at portraying Harris as extreme.

Barbara Perry, a presidential studies professor at the University of Virginia, noted that red baiting is designed not only to denigrate the opponent but also to provoke a reaction. Such terms have significant weight in the U.S., recalling the era of red scares when Americans were concerned about Soviet influence.

The practice of red baiting is reminiscent of the tactics used by Senator Joseph McCarthy, known for his anti-communist crusades that led to widespread paranoia. Trump’s red baiting strategy also echoes McCarthy's approach, partly due to his association with Roy Cohn, McCarthy’s advisor and later Trump’s mentor.

Trump’s strategy targets certain voter groups, including those from Hispanic and Latino backgrounds who may have fled communist regimes and hold negative views towards communism. Additionally, Trump aims to appeal to older voters who remember the Cold War era and associate communism with significant threats.

Despite concerns about the effectiveness of such aggressive rhetoric, the tight race in the current election could mean that Trump's strategy might influence some voters. As both candidates are closely matched in polls, every tactic could potentially sway undecided voters.

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