The 2024 presidential election may be the most significant election in history. Both parties have been striving to rally voters and win over the undecided until the very last moment, attaching immense importance to the election. The Democrats and Republicans have both characterized each other as threats to democracy, further inflaming tensions between the two sides. America is burning in election fever, with enormous stakes not only for the United States but also for Europe and the rest of the world. In this context, it is not surprising that the 2024 US presidential election campaign will be remembered as one of the most violent, intense, and bizarre campaigns in modern history. In this article, we have compiled some of the most memorable moments from the months leading up to the election.
A Convicted President
‘They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom. They want to silence me because I will never let them silence you.’ These phrases were frequently heard at campaign rallies of former US President Donald Trump, the current Republican presidential candidate. One reason Republicans characterize Democrats as a threat to democracy is the multitude of legal cases brought against Trump during the Biden administration. Trump has often claimed that the Democrats are ‘weaponizing’ the judiciary and conducting a witch hunt against their political opponents, of which he is now the target.
A key moment in the 2024 campaign—one that has significantly shaped the narrative and rhetoric on both sides in the ensuing months—occurred on 30 May when Donald Trump was convicted on 34 counts of felony falsifying business records by a Manhattan jury. With this conviction, he became the first president in US history to be found guilty in a criminal court. The jury determined that President Trump acted illegally when he had paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in October 2016, disguising the payment as legal fees to ensure her silence regarding their extramarital affair ahead of the election. Interestingly, Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal attorney at the time who facilitated the payments, was not charged in connection with the case. In fact, he served as one of the prosecution’s star witnesses, despite having a lengthy criminal record, which includes a conviction for making false statements to a financial institution.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally and good friend of Donald Trump, also reacted to the verdict. ‘As President, he [Trump] always put America first; he commanded respect around the world and used this respect to build peace. Let the people make their verdict this November! Keep on fighting, Mr President!’ he wrote in a post on X.
However, the verdict did not have the anticipated effect: Donald Trump’s popularity did not wane; in fact, support for the former president increased, as evidenced by a surge in campaign donations.
Biden’s Disastrous Debate
On 27 June, the first—and last in this form—presidential candidate debate took place. Even before the debate, current Democratic President Joe Biden had faced accusations of being mentally unfit, having spent the previous four years stammering, stumbling through convoluted statements, or simply forgetting what he intended to say—often even forgetting where he was and who he or his interlocutor were. However, these concerns were consistently suppressed within the Democratic Party, and the mainstream left-wing media also remained silent about them. This became untenable after the debate, where Biden’s performance was scandalous even by his own standards.
Once he confused President Trump with President Putin, and stated that President Trump had invaded Ukraine. At some point, even Donald Trump remarked, ‘I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either.’
The extent of the damage the debate inflicted on Biden’s popularity is evident in CNN's own poll, which revealed that more than two-thirds, or 67 per cent, of viewers believed that Donald Trump had won the debate.
Watch the full debate below:
Assassination Attempt Against Donald Trump
Then, on 13 July, an event occurred that shocked not only the United States but the entire world. 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crook fired shots at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One of the bullets struck the former president in his right ear, causing no serious injury; however, one attendee was killed and another was injured.
𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭:
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) July 14, 2024
8 bullets fired at President Trump, killing one bystander, and leaving Trump with an injury to his face.
The former President could be seen ducking as the crowd screamed as a shooter fired from a rooftop at the rally in… pic.twitter.com/DpcTwLmNl7
Following the assassination attempt, Trump raised his fist among Secret Service agents and shouted ‘Fight!’, a rallying cry echoed by the crowd. This moment was captured in an iconic photograph—as you can see on our cover photo—and will be remembered as one of the most significant events in history, likely to inspire film producers.
Viktor Orbán also reacted to the assassination attempt. ‘Thanks be to God, who did not allow them to kill him,’ the Hungarian PM said, expressing hope that this signifies God has plans for Trump. ‘And what else could God’s plan be in a time of war like this but for someone to bring peace, and he was the president of peace,’ he remarked.
Biden Out, Kamala In
After a few more weeks of bickering, stumbling, and gaffes following the presidential debate, Joe Biden announced on 21 July that he was withdrawing from the race. In the aftermath of the debate, an increasing number of Democrats began to turn against the President, questioning his mental health and abilities, which had previously been described as impeccable. It is noteworthy that the entire left-wing media underwent a dramatic shift, starting to criticize Biden’s mental health—the same individuals who had earlier portrayed the President as perfectly healthy.
Subsequently, it became apparent what would happen next: after some theatrics, the Democrats announced that they would run Vice President Kamala Harris against Trump. This decision sparked outrage among many, as Harris was nominated without a formal selection process; ironically, the Democratic Party did not act in a democratic manner at all.
Musk for Trump
It is not surprising that billionaire businessmen would support certain candidates; however, it is noteworthy when they back a Republican candidate. Elon Musk, the owner of X, SpaceX, and Tesla, and the world’s richest man, decided to contribute not only his financial resources but also his presence to Trump’s potential success in the run-up to the campaign. Musk, who has consistently spoken out against left-wing opinion dictatorship, has taken the stage at several Trump rallies and also delivered speeches. According to some press reports, Musk is also said to be considering a role in a future Trump administration, specifically regarding the federal budget.
Elon Musk takes the stage at Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/ymVelwKSfw
— Adrian Dittmann (@AdrianDittmann) October 5, 2024
Honourable Mentions:
Who Doesn’t Love McDonald’s?
At the end of October patrons dining at the Feasterville McDonald’s in Pennsylvania were in for a surprise: they were served at the drive-thru by none other than Donald Trump. The former president took on the role of a McDonald’s employee in the battleground state as part of a campaign stunt, as he is a well-known fan of fast food. It is worth noting that in 2019, the Clemson University football team, the champions of the college football championship, were served fast food at the White House during the customary banquet. The menu featured McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King, along with some pizza.
Garbage Truck
At the height of the campaign, Joe Biden referred to Trump supporters as ‘garbage’. The Republican nominee responded with a bold retort: he arrived at his next campaign event in Wisconsin in a garbage truck. The photos speak for themselves:
TRUMP ARRIVES FOR CAMPAIGN RALLY IN A GARBAGE TRUCK!
— J Stewart (@triffic_stuff_) October 30, 2024
“How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.”
“For Joe Biden to make that statement — it’s really a disgrace” pic.twitter.com/jA9nEQKvCg
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