In a high-energy rally in Houston, Texas, Vice President Kamala Harris brought out the big guns-Beyoncé. With abortion rights at the forefront of the event, Harris warned that Texas' near-total abortion ban could become the national standard if Donald Trump is re-elected. The rally, attended by 30,000 people at Shell Energy Stadium, showcased the tightrope the vice president is walking as she campaigns in deeply conservative states like Texas, even as her campaign eyes crucial battleground states.
Beyoncé, a Houston native, electrified the crowd when she introduced Harris, declaring that America was "on the brink of history." The superstar, who has rarely made political endorsements, told the roaring crowd, "We need you," urging voters to take action ahead of the November election. "I'm here as a mother," Beyoncé said. "A mother who cares deeply about the world my children, and all of our children, live in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies."
While Harris is unlikely to win Texas in November, her appearance in the state underscores the strategic importance of reproductive rights to Democrats, especially in light of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Texas has become a focal point in the national conversation on abortion rights, with the state's highly restrictive law banning most abortions after six weeks. Harris described Texas as "ground zero for the fight for reproductive freedom" during her speech.
"If Donald Trump wins again, he will ban abortion nationwide," Harris told the crowd, using her sharpest rhetoric yet in the race. As she took the stage, Harris was accompanied by her now-signature walk-out song-Beyoncé's "Freedom," a hard-hitting anthem from the pop star's Lemonade album. The vice president has framed her campaign around the theme of freedom, portraying Trump as a danger to personal liberties and American democracy itself.
The Texas rally had a concert-like atmosphere, with attendees donning flashing wristbands in various colors and a DJ spinning pop hits before the event. Along with Beyoncé, Harris was joined by fellow Destiny's Child alum Kelly Rowland and her mother, Tina Knowles. Country music legend Willie Nelson also made an appearance, performing some of his classic hits, including "On the Road Again." Actress Jessica Alba also urged women to vote, adding to the star-studded lineup of the evening.
Despite the festive environment, Harris' message was sobering. The vice president outlined the far-reaching consequences of abortion bans, citing Texas' law as a cautionary tale. Harris warned that if Trump is re-elected, he will likely push for a national abortion ban, jeopardizing reproductive rights even in states like California and New York, where abortion remains legal.
"All that to say, elections matter," Harris remarked, reminding voters of the high stakes in November. She also pointed to the chilling effects abortion bans have had on healthcare across the country, particularly in Southern states like Texas, where doctors are reportedly fleeing due to fear of prosecution. These restrictions, Harris argued, disproportionately affect low-income women and women of color, leaving them with limited healthcare options.
The rally featured several personal testimonies from Texas women who nearly died due to the state's restrictive abortion laws. One emotional moment came when Ondrea Cummings, a Texas resident, shared her story of being denied necessary medical care after a miscarriage at 16 weeks. Cummings told the crowd how her life was endangered because doctors, fearing prosecution under Texas law, refused to provide an emergency abortion. A video played before her remarks showed scars from the surgery she underwent to save her life. "Texas' abortion bans unleashed by Donald Trump almost cost me my life and have left me with physical and emotional scars," she said.
Amanda Zurawski, another Texas woman, shared a similarly harrowing story. At 18 weeks pregnant, she developed life-threatening complications, but doctors were forced to wait until she developed sepsis before they could provide care. "I was finally close enough to death to deserve healthcare in Texas," she said, delivering one of the night's most impactful lines.
Among the crowd was 32-year-old Sara Gonzales from Splendora, Texas, who drove to Houston after working an early-morning shift. Gonzales, who identified as an independent voter, said the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade changed her perspective. "Being a woman in Texas right now, it's not OK," Gonzales said. "I should have freedom over my own body." She plans to vote for Harris in the upcoming election.
In addition to focusing on abortion rights, Harris' appearance in Texas came as Senate Democrats face a tough battle to maintain control of the chamber. The race between Republican Senator Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Congressman Colin Allred, has unexpectedly tightened. Allred, who appeared at the rally, took direct aim at Cruz for supporting Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election and fleeing to Cancún during a devastating winter storm in Texas. "Everything is bigger in Texas. But Ted Cruz is too small for Texas," Allred quipped to the cheering crowd.
While Harris continues her whirlwind tour, with stops planned in Michigan alongside Michelle Obama, former President Donald Trump was also in Texas on Friday. Trump taped an interview with podcast host Joe Rogan in Austin, where he repeated his criticism of the current administration's immigration policies. In response to Trump's assertion that migration has turned the U.S. into a "garbage can for the world," Harris called the comment "another example of how he really belittles our country."
With a packed schedule leading into the election, Harris remains focused on her central message: the preservation of reproductive freedom and the threat posed by Trump's potential return to power. As the rally drew to a close, Beyoncé's voice echoed throughout the stadium: "We're grabbing back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story that denies women the right to make decisions about their own bodies."
