U.S. Vice President Harris' campaign slammed Trump's criticism of the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut in four years and focused on economic issues ahead of the November presidential election.

Trump spoke out after the Fed cut rates by 50 basis points on Sept. 19, calling it a "political move" and saying a 25 basis point cut would be appropriate. He has previously suggested that an independent central bank should be subject to some level of executive branch control.

Brian Nelson, a senior policy adviser to Harris, called Trump's response "reckless," according to a campaign memo. Trump claimed without evidence that the Fed's decision was politically motivated and "an attempt to keep someone in office," although he stopped short of saying in the Newsmax interview that he supported higher rates. The White House called the rate cut "welcome news."

The Harris campaign's message comes ahead of a speech Trump is scheduled to give in North Carolina on Saturday, where he is expected to address economic issues that have worked against Harris, including the highest U.S. inflation in 40 years under Biden's presidency and polls that have consistently backed Trump's handling of the economy.

In contrast, Nelson believes that Trump "would be an economic disaster as president," noting that there are forecasts that higher tariffs and continued tax cuts for the wealthy could have inflationary effects. (Bloomberg) #DYOR42711