Kamala Harris says Trump 'devalues' women who make their own decisions

PHOENIX – Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday that former President Donald Trump's comments this week about protecting women whether they “like it or not” are another sign of how he “devalues” women.

“His recent comment is just the latest in a series of examples we have seen from him, in his words and actions, of devaluing women's ability to have choices and make decisions about their own bodies,” said Harris told NBC News in an exclusive interview.

The vice president also argued that most Americans “believe that women are intelligent enough and that they should have agency and be respected to make decisions for themselves about what is in their best interest,” rather than the government or Trump ” tells them what they should do.” .”

The Trump campaign did not immediately comment on Harris' comments.

Trump said Wednesday that his “people” had told him not to say he wanted to “protect women.”

“I said, 'Well, I'm going to do it whether the women like it or not.' I will protect them,” Trump said during his rally on Wednesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

When asked for comment on his comments on Wednesday, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Harris “may be the first female vice president, but she has implemented dangerously liberal policies that have left women financially disadvantaged.” things are worse and they are much less safe than the four of us were years ago under President Trump.”

“Women deserve a president who will secure our country’s borders, drive violent criminals from our neighborhoods and build an economy that helps our families thrive – and that’s exactly what President Trump will do,” Leavitt added.

Harris also spoke Thursday about President Joe Biden's “garbage” remark from earlier this week in which he appeared to criticize either Trump supporters or a comedian who made racist jokes at Trump's rally in New York, reiterating her view, that “we should never do that.” criticize people based on who they vote for.”

Addressing Biden's comments, Harris pointed to Trump's rhetoric about “the enemy within” and comparing the U.S. to a “garbage bin.”

“He doesn't understand that most people are exhausted by his rhetoric, exhausted by this approach, exhausted by Donald Trump's approach aimed at dividing our country and getting Americans to point fingers at each other,” he said she. “You’re done and ready to turn the page.”

Harris' comments came ahead of her rally in Phoenix. Her next campaign stops on Thursday are Nevada, where she will hold rallies in Reno and Las Vegas.

The Sun Belt race comes at a time when polls point to a neck-and-neck presidential race less than a week before Election Day.

When asked by NBC News what Harris thought her late mother would say to her in the final days before the election, Harris smiled.

“'Just hit him,'” she said, laughing. “She would probably say that. Yes, that’s my mother.”

Yamiche Alcindor reported from Phoenix and Megan Lebowitz reported from Washington, DC