Looking at the dynamic six-month prelude to polling day, plenty has unfolded. It all started in May when an unprecedented event took place: Donald Trump, becoming the first sitting US President, was found guilty of felony charges. A jury in New York convicted him on 34 counts linked to the falsification of essential business documents.
The month of June saw the first presidential debate of the year, where Biden’s performance raised doubts among some viewers. Many questioned if the octogenarian was still competent to vie for the presidency. Not long after, an attempt was made on Trump’s life during a scheduled rally in Pennsylvania in July. The incident left the former president with an injury to his right ear and tragically claimed the life of an attendee.
Just two days after surviving the shooting, Trump made headlines once again. He took to his social media platform, Truth, and announced his running mate would be Ohio Senator JD Vance. As the political tension continued to rise, Biden declared he was stepping down from the presidential race a mere week post the assassination attempt on Trump.
In his announcement, Biden fully endorsed Harris as his replacement for the Democratic party’s ticket, and soon afterward, she was officially nominated in August. When it came to selecting her Vice Presidential candidate, Harris chose Tim Walz, the sitting Governor of Minnesota.
However, it wasn’t until September that Harris and Trump shared a stage, marking their first direct encounter during a debate that birthed numerous trending online snippets. As the final stages of the election race approached, public figures from various fields made their endorsements known.
Among Harris’s high-profile supporters were former President Barack Obama, music industry icons Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé. Meanwhile, notable figures endorsing Trump included tech maverick Elon Musk, actor Zachary Levi, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.
Anticipation continues to mount as polls suggest it could be one of the closest electoral races in recent history, leaving the outcome completely up in the air at this stage. A significant factor is the widespread belief among some communities that incumbent Joe Biden’s previous victory was not legitimate.
Democratic narratives are resonating around insufficient progress in controlling unauthorized immigration. With Harris previously tasked with managing border issues, these perceived failures could potentially impact her campaign negatively. However, she remains steadfast, pledging to adopt stricter policies regarding immigration if elected.
Lastly, an unexpected trend emerging is a widespread concern – a fear even – that the final electoral results may not be clear immediately following election night. Yet, the world watches with bated breath as the quest for the White House continues.