Kamala Harris ‘anointed’ as ‘dollars pour in’
Nearly all the papers focus on the US presidential race for a second day, as Vice-President Kamala Harris secured a wave of endorsements from leading Democrats. The Times says Ms Harris declared “we’re going to win this” in a message on X. Her campaign received $81m (£62.6m) in donations in just 24 hours – a record amount – plus a further £150m from a Democratic fundraising committee, the paper adds.
Among the Democrat grandees endorsing Ms Harris is former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Guardian reports. It describes Ms Pelosi as “hugely influential” and one of Ms Harris’s most significant backers yet. It quotes Ms Pelosi as saying she has known Ms Harris for decades and that the vice-president is “rooted in strong values, faith and a commitment to public service”.
The Financial Times says the steady stream of support from senior Democrats could mean the party avoids any “potential chaos” when it meets next month to officially pick its candidate.
Ms Harris is described as “the anointed” by the i newspaper. But polls suggest she faces an uphill battle, the paper adds – and the Trump campaign is targeting her over her record in office.
The Daily Telegraph also says the Democratic pick is looking like a “coronation” for Ms Harris. The paper reports that she is likely to pick a white man as her running mate to “boost her chances” in battleground states. It says some are concerned that her background as a liberal Californian politician could discourage some working class voters.
The Metro’s headline “Yes she can” plays on the “Yes we can” slogan used by former president Barack Obama in 2008 – but the paper points out Mr Obama has so far held back from giving Ms Harris his support. He is said to be anxious not to make her nomination appear a done deal, the Metro says.
And the Daily Star throws a curveball for Ms Harris’s nomination bid. UK psychic Jemima Packington claims to be able to read the future using asparagus and says the next president will be Michelle Obama. Ms Packington does her readings by looking at the shapes made by the spears when they’re thrown onto a surface. “We’re defo putting £20 on Michelle at William Hill,” the Star adds.
Away from the US, the Daily Mail takes aim at the new government over illegal immigration. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said they are resuming the processing of asylum claims – including those who arrived in the UK illegally. Under the axed Rwanda scheme, people who arrived illegally would not have been allowed to settle in the UK – but the Mail says 70,000 people could now be granted asylum.
The Daily Mirror’s front page focuses on a tragic car accident on a rural road in West Yorkshire, which saw an 11-year-old girl lose both her parents and two sisters. Separately, the paper’s main picture is of actress and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington, as the show continues to find itself at the centre of controversy with more allegations made.
The car crash in West Yorkshire also makes the front page of the Daily Express. But its lead story is an exclusive interview with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has predicted that more Tory MPs will defect to his party within the next year.