This US Election isn't about policies – it's a vote for unity or Donald Trump's divided vision

As America nears the climax of its , voters are confronted with a choice between and , a decision that goes far beyond policy.

This election feels fundamentally . If rhetoric alone were the measure, Trump's homecoming rally in New York this week would likely conclude the case against his re-election.

His events have long served as theatrical expressions of his campaign, but the event in Madison Square Garden took on an especially hostile tone. Unfunny comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, a featured speaker, referred to Puerto Rico as "a floating island of garbage".

This divisive language wasn't isolated. Speakers continued to slander Harris and target minority groups, with the gathering resembling a rally of hate and exclusion. For many Americans, such talk wasn't simply distasteful; it was dangerous. The rally evoked disturbing comparisons to authoritarian displays of the past.

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While some supporters argue that calling Trump's rally "fascistic" is hyperbolic, the language and imagery were chillingly reminiscent of divisive, violent ideologies. One speaker even referred to Harris's "pimp handlers" and declared, "We need to slaughter these other people". This wasn't subtle political critique – it was hate speech.

Historically, Trump's rhetoric has walked a fine line, often riling up his base while distancing more moderate Republicans and independents. Yet, at a point in his campaign when he should ideally be expanding his appeal, his words seem more polarising than ever.

Instead of detailing policies or a vision, his remarks are steeped in conspiracy and authoritarian threats, leaving his campaign mired in an appeal for "retribution" against perceived enemies rather than solutions for the nation.

On Tuesday, he even felt the need to reassure voters, "I am not a Nazi.” The 78-year-old said: "The newest line from Kamala and her campaign is that everyone who isn't voting for her is a Nazi." He added: "I'm the opposite of a Nazi."

For those who insist Trump's rallies are no worse than others, consider his commitment to increasingly authoritarian promises, like using military force against political adversaries, deporting millions, and dismissing those who challenge his narrative as "enemies of the people". Such language brews division that undermines democratic norms.

Trump's words and actions make a compelling argument against his re-election. Those who see the stakes of 2024 as a choice about character and the future of democratic values should reject him and his incendiary messages.

This election isn't simply about policies; it's a referendum on leadership itself. America must choose: will it endorse an agenda based on unity and progress or one grounded in anger and exclusion?

For a country poised to either embrace a hopeful future or sink further into division, the answer on Election Day will speak volumes about what America has become.

Trump said it would be "liberation day". His return to New York this week was an alarming glimpse of what his version of liberation means.

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