Seventeen days before the U.S. presidential election, Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, raised questions about her Republican rival Donald Trump's ability to effectively carry out the duties of the presidency, as the campaign intensified in the crucial state of Michigan on Friday.

Trump strongly criticized these accusations, refusing to question his physical fitness.

Harris, who will turn 60 on Sunday, referred to media reports that Trump, who is 78 years old, is avoiding interviews due to exhaustion and also missed a second debate with her.

During a rally in Grand Rapids, she stated, “If he can't handle the rigors of campaigning, is he fit to perform the duties of the presidency? That's a legitimate question.”

For his part, Trump responded in Detroit, asserting that he is in excellent health, and attacked Harris by calling her “not smart,” noting that he spent 48 continuous days campaigning without a break, adding: “We are ahead in the polls because the American people don't want her.”

Polls show a tight race between the candidates in battleground states just days before Election Day.

Trump also complained in an interview with “Fox & Friends” about the negative ads against him, saying he would reach out to Robert Murdoch to stop them from airing until Election Day.

During his visit to his campaign office in Hamtramck, Trump received praise from Amer Ghalib, the first Muslim mayor of a Detroit suburb.

The Republican candidate is seeking to gain support from Arab Americans in Michigan, who feel frustrated with the Democrats over their stance on the Gaza conflict. Trump stated: “We all want peace in the Middle East, and it can be achieved quickly with the right leadership in Washington.”

In contrast, Harris welcomed members of the Arab American community at a rally in Oakland County, praising the prospects for peace following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Michigan remains a key battleground in the U.S. elections, playing a crucial role in determining the winner due to its status as a swing state, making it a focal point for both candidates and voters alike.