With Election Day only days away, The Economist magazine has officially endorsed Kamala Harris, framing the choice as one between “ordinary shortcomings” and a “gamble with democracy.” In an editorial released on Thursday, the respected British publication offered a stark warning to American voters about the potential risks of another Trump term, urging support for Harris and a break from what they see as the “recklessly complacent” approach of those betting Trump could be restrained.
“Tens of millions of Americans will vote for Mr. Trump next week. Some will be true believers,” the editorial noted. “But many will take a calculated risk that in office his worst instincts would be constrained. We see that as recklessly complacent.”
The editors painted a dire picture of a world where Trump holds the reins, suggesting that such a decision could imperil the economy, undermine the rule of law, and disrupt international stability. Harris, on the other hand, was seen as a safer choice, with criticisms that The Economist described as “ordinary” and non-disqualifying for the presidency. “If The Economist had a vote, we would cast it for her,” the editors wrote, underscoring the publication’s view that Harris’s approach would better safeguard democratic values and stability.
The endorsement adds to a growing list of international publications and figures voicing support for Harris, as concerns mount over America’s place in the global order and its approach to democratic governance. The endorsement echoes similar sentiments from prior election cycles when foreign media outlets, seeing potential global ramifications, voiced their preferences to American voters.
The Economist’s endorsement is unlikely to change staunch supporters’ minds, but it highlights how high the stakes are viewed internationally. As American voters prepare to head to the polls, these endorsements reveal just how closely the world is watching the choice before them.
Sources for this article include: The Economist.
