Harris and Trump focus on Sunbelt states during final weekend push for votes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump zeroed in on the Sun Belt on Saturday as they embarked on one last weekend quest to sway every undecided voter in the battleground states. They pitched rival agendas on the economy — and more — that each insisted is what Americans want.

“We have overcome every attack, every abuse and even two assassination attempts,” Trump said at a rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, outside Charlotte. “And now it all comes down to this.”

Later, Trump headed to Virginia, which isn't considered a battleground state, but offered a similar message, telling supporters that there is no way he can lose and is on the cusp of “the greatest political victory in the history of our country.”

Trump predicted he would win not just the Electoral College count, but a majority of votes cast across the country, which he failed to do in two previous tries.

“We’re going to win the popular vote,” Trump told the crowd. “I think we have a really good chance to win the popular vote.”

Harris, meanwhile, has been urging her supporters to vote early so she can be elected and provide the “new generation of leadership” that she argues she represents.

“I am ready to offer that leadership as the next president of the United States of America,” she said during remarks in a rally at the Atlanta Civic Center parking lot. She had to pause a few times to allow medics to attend to people who had fainted after spending hours in the heat.

“It's hot out here, Atlanta,” the vice president said.

It was unclear whether Harris herself had voted early. Campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler said Saturday that Harris plans to vote by mail, but he could not say whether she had returned her ballot to her home state of California. Trump confirmed Saturday that he'll vote in person on Tuesday in Florida, despite saying previously he'd vote early.

“Anybody here already voted?” she asked the Atlanta crowd, which cheered loudly in response. “Oh wow. Oh my goodness. Thank you, thank you."

It was part of a final, frenzied push by Harris, Trump, their running mates and their high-profile stand-ins to encourage people to vote early or in person on Tuesday, Election Day.

Harris’ campaign hoped for a “high-impact” moment with a two-minute spot to air Sunday during NFL games on CBS and FOX, including the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions, two swing state teams. It shows Harris interacting with people during the campaign and talking directly to viewers.

“Now I’m asking for your vote because as president I will get up every day and fight for the American people,” she says at the end.

Harris Campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon projected confidence Saturday on a conference call with reporters as both sides embarked on that final sprint to get out the vote. “If you can hear the joy in my voice it is because we are in GOTV weekend,” she said.

Trump, meanwhile, spoke wistfully, as he has at some of his recent rallies, about how after nearly a decade of campaigning, his final race is nearing its end.

“We’re going to meet again many times I hope," the former president said in the first of two North Carolina rallies. "This has been the thrill of a lifetime for me and for you.”

At the second rally, in Greensboro, he said he'll do two more days of rallies “and then we shut it down, never to happen again.” He said he'll then have “a different form of rally — a rally for our country.”

Later, he laughed along with a sexist joke about Harris. As Trump repeated his claim, without evidence, that Harris lied about working at McDonalds in her youth, someone in the crowd yelled, “she worked on the corner." Trump laughed, looked around and pointed toward a section of the crowd.

“This place is amazing,” he said to cheers. “Just remember, it's other people saying it. It's not me.”

Planes carrying Harris and Trump met on the tarmac in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the vice president ended her campaign day.

She was joined there by actress Kerry Washington and rocker Jon Bon Jovi, who played a newer song “The People’s House” that he said he wrote shortly after the January 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump insurrectionists.

“We still have work to do,” Harris told her Atlanta rally, adding, “Make no mistake, we will win.”

She also called her campaign and supporters “the promise of America."

President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the race this summer when it became clear he could not win, was doing his part for the Democrats by making what could be his final 2024 campaign stop. Biden, who turns 82 this month, struck a nostalgic tone as he tried to help get out the vote for Harris and running mate Tim Walz during an event at the carpenters' local in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

And, as he's done frequently lately, Biden also went off script to offer some especially blunt statements. After slamming Trump and his supporters on policy issues, the president added, “I know some of you guys are tempted to think he’s this macho guy … but, I’m serious, these are the kind of guys you’d like to smack in the ass."

Walz joined actress Eva Longoria at a get-out-the-vote event in Las Vegas before the Minnesota governor's events in Flagstaff and Tucson, Arizona. GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance was also in Arizona and Nevada. First lady Jill Biden was campaigning in Georgia and Hillary Clinton was appearing for Harris in Tampa, Florida.

Walz visited a few homes in the Las Vegas suburbs. He and Democratic Rep. Dina Titus spoke with a couple who were excited to see both politicians — and were hopeful.

“We're gonna win,” Walz said. “These last days matter and it will be on the margins.”

Elsewhere, other voters sounded notes of cautious optimism about the election outcome.

Marzella and Darrell Pittman said they canceled weekend plans after learning that Harris would be in Atlanta and drove four hours from Alabama to attend.

Marzella thinks Harris will win, but Darrell is nervous because many of the young Black men in his life support Trump and are hesitant to vote for a woman for president.

“It’s tight, and the other side, they got a lot of our people believing in that side, just like we believe in Kamala,” he said.

Until the election, “we have nothing but voting on our mind and we’re talking to everybody,” Marzella Pittman said.

Trump supporters were equally passionate about their candidate.

“Mr. Trump came in a garbage truck. I came in a garbage bag,” said Elmer Baber, who lives in Gastonia, North Carolina and attended Trump's rally. It was a reference to Trump riding in a garbage truck after Biden said Trump's supporters were “garbage." Biden later said he was talking about rhetoric from a speaker at Trump's recent event at Madison Square Garden.

Colvin reported from Gastonia, North Carolina, and Superville from Washington. Associated Press writers Chris Megerian in Washington, Matt Brown in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta and Isabella Volmert in Warren, Michigan, contributed to this report.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Supporters arrives before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Supporters listen as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump waves at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris departs after speaking during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Supporters watch as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

This combination of photos shows Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, speaking during a rally in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 12, 2024, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, right, speaking during a rally in Warren, Mich., Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo)

A supporter cheers as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump smiles at a campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak at a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Whitney Bruce of Roanoke, Va., looks at items for sale before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Salem Va., Saturday, Nov 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Spike Lee speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Attendees wait for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris to arrive at a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

A member of law enforcement takes position before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

FILE - House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., speaks at a campaign rally, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

A supporter holds a sign for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Whitney Bruce of Roanoke, Va., looks at items for sale before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Salem Va., Saturday, Nov 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

A supporter holds a sign at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris outside the Atlanta Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2024--

SimScale GmbH, a pioneer in cloud-native engineering simulation and Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division today announced a strategic partnership to transform how engineering teams deploy advanced structural analysis. The collaboration removes traditional accessibility barriers by delivering the advanced capabilities of Hexagon’s Marc nonlinear finite element solver as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) through SimScale’s intuitive cloud native platform, unlocking unprecedented value for engineering teams.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202212598/en/

Unlocking Advanced Simulation for Engineering Organizations of all sizes

The joint offering transforms access to advanced design and nonlinear analysis capabilities for engineering organizations that may lack the resources for traditional methods or specialized IT infrastructure. The simulations are delivered through a browser-based platform that makes it easy to integrate advanced simulation into workflows, enabling engineers to innovate without requiring extensive technical expertise.

Empowering Enterprise Design Team Collaboration

Larger, multidisciplinary design teams with existing simulation support will benefit from reduced silos between design and analyst departments, fostering a more collaborative environment. By enabling designers to leverage simulation earlier in the design process, the solution helps teams to streamline their workflows, perform rapid design iterations, reduce physical prototypes and accelerate innovation. This collaborative approach empowers teams to make more informed decisions faster, enhancing overall productivity and design accuracy.

Unrivaled Ease of Use and Scalable Deployment Assured

The joint solution is designed from the ground up for ease of use and deployment speed, requiring no installation or extensive IT support. Engineers can access Hexagon’s proven Marc solver directly through SimScale’s browser-based interface, ensuring a smooth and intuitive user experience. As an advanced nonlinear structural and multi-physics solver, Marc excels in a wide range of engineering applications, making it an invaluable tool for all industry verticals including automotive, aerospace, energy, electronics and manufacturing. Its robust capabilities enable precise simulations of complex material behaviors—including plasticity, hyper-elasticity, and fatigue—allowing engineers to predict damage and failure in structures and components. From manufacturing processes like sheet metal forming to critical sealing analyses in the oil and gas sector, Marc provides comprehensive solutions for tackling the most challenging engineering problems. This capability, combined with the platform's robust and proven technology, ensures that even the most demanding simulations are managed efficiently and effectively in the cloud. In addition, SimScale’s live in-product support provides a unique safety net for all users, as evidenced by G2's ranking of SimScale as 1st in user satisfaction in the Simulation & CAE Software category.

Accelerated Adoption through Product-Led Growth Journeys

The SimScale platform also features a unique product-led-growth approach, supporting > 600k engineers with self-service learning and adoption journeys with transparent user management and real-time support. This enables organizations to quickly onboard and scale their simulation capabilities, driving broad awareness and engagement across teams. In addition, by providing robust simulation templates, the solution simplifies complex analyses via pre-configured setups, enabling non-experts to run accurate simulations easily while ensuring that all simulations adhere to established standards, thus democratizing access and maintaining compliance for the entire team.

“Partnering with SimScale allows us to bring our world-class simulation technology to a wider market,” said Subham Sett, Vice President Multiphysics at Hexagon . “We have found Marc being used very successfully in applications we had never expected from shoe design to 3D printing, and this is a great solution to enable both small businesses and large enterprises to confidently explore challenging nonlinear materials and applications and achieve results faster than ever before.”

“Marc has been an exceptional workhorse for CAE experts for decades. We’ve successfully deployed this technology to manufacturing simulation users through our Virtual Manufacturing Suite. The partnership with SimScale enables us to take a big step forward in fulfilling our vision of democratizing access to all users.”

“This partnership is a major step forward for the engineering community,” said David Heiny, CEO of SimScale. “Our joint solution eliminates the traditional pain points of simulation – from complex installations to heavy local processing – empowering engineers everywhere to harness the full potential of structural analysis.”

Companies interested in understanding how they can access the Marc solver on the SimScale platform can contact SimScale via www.simscale.com/contact-us/

About SimScale

SimScale is the world’s first cloud-native engineering simulation platform, offering powerful and accessible computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA), and thermal simulations. With SimScale, every engineer has access to the power of physics and AI simulation without the need for expensive hardware or software. SimScale is trusted by >600k engineers worldwide to make informed decisions, optimize designs, and innovate faster. For more information, visitwww.simscale.com.

About Hexagon

Hexagon is the global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications.

Our technologies are shaping production and people related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future. Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division provides solutions that use data from design and engineering, production and metrology to make manufacturing smarter. For more information, visithexagon.com/mi.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,500 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

Advanced nonlinear analysis with Hexagon's Marc™ on SimScale's cloud-native platform (Graphic: Business Wire)