US on knife-edge as Harris ballot lead slumps to only two per cent

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were campaigning frantically in swing states yesterday as the neck-and-neck US presidential election hit the final stretch.

Vice-President Ms Harris holds a two percentage point lead over the former president in an average of the national polls – but it is about half of what it was four weeks ago.

It is within the margin of error, but the national figure can be misleading about what could happen in the US electoral college system.

Crucially, with just 16 days to polling day, the betting markets increasingly think Mr Trump, 78, will return to the White House after a change in fortunes this month. 

Early voting is now under way in 26 out of 50 US states.

Harris’ lead is about half of what it was four weeks ago (pictured October 19) 

Betting markets increasingly think Trump will return to the White House after a change in fortunes (pictured October 19)

There are seven key swing states – and Mr Trump has overtaken Ms Harris in Michigan and Pennsylvania, with tiny margins, but those states could see him home.

Ms Harris, 59, told journalists in Detroit, Michigan, she wanted to spend the next two weeks stating Mr Trump is ‘increasingly unstable and unfit’ to be president.

She also said the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar ‘created an opening that I believe we must take advantage of’ to end the war in the Middle East.

She was expected to rally supporters in the state later in the day.

Mr Trump was set to hold rallies in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, where the first assassination attempt on him failed in July.