The US news site Axios reported on October 27 that President Biden wants to help Kamala Harris in the final days before the election, but Harris's team is reluctant to accept, considering Biden a "burden." Three people with knowledge of the situation told Axios that Harris's campaign team has consistently said, "We will get back to you." They do not wish to directly state that they do not want Biden to campaign for her, believing Biden is a political burden at a critical moment. One insider likened this to a slow breakup: Harris's team and allies respect Biden but are wary of actions that would link Harris to the unpopular president. Two insiders told Axios that the Biden team had reserved a few days to assist with the campaign, but Harris's team has let that time go to waste. Currently, there are no joint campaign events scheduled between Harris and Biden before election day. Many within the Biden team believe he can help Harris in the last few days. They also think Harris's team has underestimated Biden's appeal among the white working-class communities in the "Rust Belt," including the critical swing state of Pennsylvania, where Biden has spent much of his life and career. Two insiders told Axios that Biden announced last week he would be campaigning solo in Pittsburgh this weekend, which caught many in Harris's team off guard. In a Saturday "Future Outlook" email, Harris's team detailed who she would be attending events with but did not mention Biden's schedule in Pittsburgh. This week, Biden told supporters in New Hampshire, "We have to lock up Trump," which frustrated some of Harris's aides. Biden quickly clarified that he meant "from a political perspective" to lock up Trump. However, Trump and other Republicans seized on the president's words, claiming the Biden administration's prosecution of Trump is unfair. A White House official stated that Harris's campaign team arranged Biden's trip to Pittsburgh, so they did not feel caught off guard. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement, "There is always speculation in politics, but this is not accurate. We are in close contact with the campaign team to determine when, where, and how the president can provide assistance."