That Donald Trump’s amazing ascendancy to the most powerful post in the world as the President of the United States in the 2024 elections is reminiscent of a thrilling sports underdog story is indisputable. This larger-than-life comeback snubbed projections and preconceptions harbored by many supposedly astute analysts, installing Trump once again at the country’s helm. Remarkably, Trump withstood the efforts of diverse anti-Trump camps, including those populated by Hollywood elites. Kamala Harris’s campaign, much like Hillary Clinton’s, swung towards the glitz and glamour of celebrity endorsements, yet it didn’t pay off quite as planned.
Never one to shy away from courting controversy, Trump’s stirring speeches and large scale rallies galvanized his large core base resulting in resounding support despite his critics. The start of the year posed a set of unique challenges for the former President largely deriving from the legal issues pertaining to the Capitol incident of 2021. However, it’s clear the recurrent challenges were ineffectual at denting his support from Republican voters, who hung on his every word and strength of resolution.
From the get-go, Trump’s strategy crystallized around bolstering his stature as the Republicans’ principal personality. Overcoming sturdy opponents like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy in recorded victories provided a clear signal of dominance to the party’s leadership. Meanwhile, the Biden administration found itself mired deeply in the morass of inaccurately handled current issues such as rampant inflation, porous borders and an ill-conceived international relations policy, the results of which further distressed an already struggling Democratic Party.
As the facade of unity within the Democrats crumbled, President Biden’s potential re-election bid became a contentious matter. Tensions surfaced openly in February, casting a harsh spotlight on the validity of Biden’s candidacy. There were rumbles within the ranks, with Democratic purists suggesting a transition of leadership. Even old comrades like Bernie Sanders openly cast aspersions on Biden’s potential for electoral success.
Internal discord within the Democratic Party gained more traction than ever, despite ceaseless efforts at support from the establishment, and names like President Obama. On the other side, Trump capitalized on the turn of the year to drive home his campaign agenda – a resolute focus on economic fortification, adequate immigration control, and a determined effort to dial down the United States’ involvement in costly international conflicts.
Coming to March, it was Biden’s approval ratings that took a serious dive due to economic difficulties that seemed far-removed from well-crafted policy talk. The common American found the financial struggle at home a stark contradiction to the administration’s high-sounding foreign policy pursuits. This disconnect was further exacerbated by the crisis in Ukraine, which while mustering global support for Biden, also spurred considerable discord within the American populace.
The April calendar witnessed the bold tactician that is Trump marking another ‘first’. The Republican National Committee (RNC), under his leadership, voted unanimously to secede from the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), effectively pioneering a break from traditional norms of president debates. Such audacious moves are typical of the Trump era, and May was just another month that underscored significant changes in the political landscape.
June 27th was earmarked for the first mega presidential debate, graciously hosted by CNN in Atlanta. A potentially game-changing event, the debate turned out to be something of a disaster for President Biden. Analysts and pundits alike pounced on Biden’s unclear communication style and his seeming inability to stay focused, casting doubts on his fitness to serve another term. Biden’s policy proposals received some admiration, but their impact fell flat against his performance that day.
Post the disastrous debate, discussion surrounding Biden’s possible replacement dominated many quarters within the Democratic Party. Endorsements from former President Obama and Clinton couldn’t quell the surge of private debates about Biden’s very potential for re-election. July marked an important juncture in the campaign, and Trump was unfazed even in the face of an attempted assassination during a rally. Displaying his indomitable spirit, he rallied the crowd with vigour and tenacity.
President Biden, in sharp contrast, faced an onslaught of criticism for his inferior performance during the June 27 debate. His unclear responses during the debate raised serious questions about his leadership prowess. Buckling under heavy pressure from within the Party, Biden, on July 21, announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race citing personal concerns about his fitness for another term. This unexpected turn of events thrust Vice President Kamala Harris as the central figure on the Democratic ticket.
August proved to be a turning point in the course of the electoral currents. Kamala Harris found it challenging to craft an independent campaign identity in the face of virulent criticism from Trump. The second major Presidential debate held on September 10, once a much-anticipated event, turned out to be a defining moment with Trump being declared the undisputed winner despite his characteristic inflammatory speech peppered with questionable claims.
Trump’s influence kept swelling as he continued to win hearts across political lines and age demographics. He was in command with his policies resonating with the vast majority of the American populace. The burden on Harris to tighten her campaign strategy grew, but Trump’s growing popularity and lead in electoral surveys remained unscathed.
Finally, as November 6 rolled around, Election Day saw Trump triumphing over all odds. Major news networks, including Fox News and CNN, declared Trump’s win. Standing victorious at West Palm Beach, Florida, flanked by his family and the running mate, Trump hailed his unassailable victory stating, ‘America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.’ Harris conceded defeat in a brief statement, marking the end of the intense campaign.
Trump’s glorious return to the White House, despite various legal battles, inter-party divisions, and even an assassination attempt, was lauded by many as a victory of the people against the establishment. The financial markets reacted positively to his win, suggesting an overall approval of his economic approach. While his supporters basked in the celebration, his opponents were left to worry over his future governance.
Much like the timeless proverb, the aftermath of the election sent ripples beyond US borders: ‘When the US sneezes, the world catches a cold’. The President-elect Trump made sweeping proclamations indicating his intention to acquire both the Panama Canal, and Greenland, and even mooted the idea of Canada’s annexation. As the transition phase unfolds, there is heightened speculation about the course that Trump’s second term may chart.