US Presidential Election Live Updates: There are some contradictions in this positioning as Trump is courting Arab and Muslim voters by portraying himself as a peace candidate, while also appealing to Jewish voters as a staunch supporter of Israelread more

Michelle Obama, in her first public campaign event of this US election, will join Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Michigan on Saturday, while Republican candidate Donald Trump holds his own rally in the battleground state.

On Friday, pop singer Beyoncé stole the show at Harris’ rally in Houston, Texas where the main topic of discussion was reproductive rights in the US. Appealing rallygoers to choose wisely, Beyoncé said, “I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother.”

On the other battlefront, Trump recorded an interview with America’s most-heard podcaster Joe Rogan. Many of his supporters left a Michigan rally before he arrived after the former president kept them waiting for three hours to tape the podcast interview.

Those who remained at the outdoor rally on an airport tarmac huddled in the cold Friday night as they waited for the former president to touch down in the battleground state.

Meanwhile, Chinese hackers who tapped into Verizon’s system targeted phones used by people affiliated with the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, a person familiar with the situation said on Friday.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, were also targeted, according to media reports. Reuters could not confirm those reports.

The New York Times reported investigators were working to determine what communications, if any, were taken from Trump and Vance.

The Times report added that the Trump campaign was made aware this week that Trump and Vance were among a number of people inside and outside the government whose phone numbers were targeted through the infiltration of Verizon phone systems.

The Trump campaign did not confirm that Trump’s and Vance’s phones were targeted.

Steven Cheung, the campaign’s communications director, said Vice President Harris has emboldened China and Iran to attack US infrastructure to prevent Trump from returning to office.

While noting that it was not aware of the specific situation, the Chinese embassy in Washington said China opposes and combat cyber attacks and cyber thefts in all forms.

“The presidential elections are the United States’ domestic affairs. China has no intention and will not interfere in the U.S. election,” an embassy spokesperson said when reached for comment.

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

With inputs from agencies

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