A new poll suggests that Kamala Harris' honeymoon period and “euphoric August” are now over after a major drop in support.
The vice president has seen a fall in the polls for the first time since becoming a presidential candidate.
According to a New York Times survey, Donald Trump is winning with 48 per cent, compared to Harris who has 47 per cent among likely voters nationally.
It comes as a huge blow to the VP ahead of a televised debate with her opponent on Tuesday night - the only scheduled debate so far between the two candidates.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump go head-to-head tomorrow nightGettyThe latest poll decreases Harris' overall lead in the average of all polls to just 2.5 per cent.
However, pollsters warn that the survey is an exception so far, following a “Euphoric August” according to the publication - but it could trigger concern among the Harris campaign that the verdict could be a sign of bad tidings to come.
“The honeymoon is officially over,” Trump spokesperson Jason Miller jubilantly told Politico.
“Kamala Harris has been exposed as a Radical Left individual who owns the destruction of our economy and our border.”
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The vice president has seen a fall in the polls for the first time since becoming a presidential candidate
GETTYThe poll also notably showed that many voters feel like they do not know enough about the Vice President, with 28 per cent of likely voters saying they wanted to dig deeper on who Harris really is.
This was much higher than her rival, with just nine per cent saying that they needed to get to know Trump better.
Whilst Trump may have had a rough time since Joe Biden dropped out of the race, and Harris’ announcement as Biden’s replacement caused a burst of excitement amongst the Democrats, the poll suggests the 45th President's core group of supporters remains intact.
This is the first time that Trump has had a nominal lead in a “major nonpartisan national survey” in the last month, The New York Times notes.
Its results indicate the upcoming presidential debate could be a crucial moment in a race that appears to be either candidates to win. The race is so tight that even a marginal boost for either candidate could be significant.
This is the first time that Trump has had a nominal lead in a “major nonpartisan national survey” in the last month
ReutersWith just hours to go, Harris is reportedly hunkered down in a Pittsburgh hotel practising with an advisor posing as Trump, who has donned a blue suit and long tie to complete the illusion.
Meanwhile, Trump’s preparations feature no aides, and he is instead refreshing himself on his policy record.
James Johnson, co-founder of polling firm JL partners, said: “The honeymoon is over for Harris.
“Harris peaked a week before the DNC. There was a sense of relief when she took over from Biden and she managed to energise people who weren’t impressed by him, but since RFK dropped out of the race, shoring up voters for Trump and his position, [Ms Harris flagging in the polls] is a trend that’s been happening.
“There is a desire to see more detail from her. Not seeing her do interviews is a concern for some voters.”
Johnson said Tuesday’s ABC debate will be a pivotal moment in the race.
“The debates really matter,” he said. “It all hangs on Tuesday.”
