Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris made an unexpected trip to New York on Saturday to appear on “Saturday Night Live,” just three days ahead of her. choice confrontation with Republican Donald Trump.

Also read: US Election 2024 Live: Gaza Emerges as ‘Big Issue’ for Many New York Muslims; Michigan’s Muslim voters lean toward Trump

While Harris’ campaign provided no official comment, reporters accompanying her were taken to the headquarters of NBC, the network that broadcasts the popular comedy show. Two sources confirmed his participation. The episode will air at 11:30 pm ET (03:30 GMT), providing a high-profile platform for Harris to connect with voters in the final stretch of the campaign. Reuters reported.

An appearance on “Saturday Night Live” would add a surprise ahead of Tuesday’s presidential election.

The long-running show “Saturday Night Live” had already featured Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain in 2008, as well as featuring Donald Trump in 2004, long before he began his political career.

Earlier on Saturday, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s planes were spotted together on the tarmac in Charlotte, North Carolina. The close encounter highlighted the candidates’ focus on a few select states where the outcome of Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election will be determined.

Also read: US Election 2024: THESE 10 Essential Things to Know Before the World’s Greatest Economy Goes to Vote

It was the fourth consecutive day that both candidates campaigned in North Carolina. Only seven states, including North Carolina, are considered truly competitive. Interestingly, a recent Des Moines Register poll released Saturday indicated that Harris has taken a surprising lead in Iowa, a state Trump won convincingly in the last two elections. This shift in voter sentiment could prove pivotal as the election approaches.

Harris campaigned in Charlotte, North Carolina, with rock star Bon Jovi, while Trump held a rally in suburban Gastonia. It was unclear if he was on his plane when Harris arrived.

Trump and Harris stuck to familiar themes in their appearances.

Trump said he would deport millions of immigrants if elected and warned that if Harris wins, “every town in America would become a squalid, dangerous refugee camp.”

While campaigning in Atlanta, Harris said Trump would abuse his power if he returned to the White House.

“This is about someone who is increasingly unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed by grievance, and the man seeks unchecked power,” he said.

Also read: US Election 2024: Can a Trump Presidency Endanger the Independence of the US Federal Reserve? This is what economists say

More than 72 million Americans have already cast their ballots, according to the University of Florida Election Laboratory, down from the record pace of early voting in 2020 during COVID-19 but still indicating a high level of voter enthusiasm. . Reuters reported.

In North Carolina, western counties that were devastated by Hurricane Helene appeared to vote at about the same rate as the rest of the state, according to Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer.

Trump criticized the federal government’s response to the disaster and reiterated his false claim that state aid had been diverted to help immigrants entering the country.

(With contributions from Reuters)