The Biden administration simultaneously grappled with increasing inflation rates, border control challenges, and criticism of its international relations approach. These circumstances highlighted internal Democratic Party tensions regarding Biden’s potential re-election bid.
February: A divided democratic party
Democratic Party divisions became evident in February, with increased scrutiny of Biden’s candidacy. Several Democratic strategists suggested new leadership, with Bernie Sanders expressing doubts about Biden’s electoral viability. Despite continued support from the establishment, including former President Barack Obama, internal party disagreements increased.
Trump utilised early 2024 to strengthen his campaign narrative, emphasising economic growth, immigration control, and reducing American involvement in resource-draining international conflicts.
March: The rising pressure on Biden
As March arrived, Biden’s approval ratings plummeted due to ongoing economic woes, particularly rising costs of living and gas prices. The crisis in Ukraine, while garnering international support for Biden, became a point of contention for many Americans. The economic hardship at home became a stark contrast to the administration’s foreign policy ambitions, which many felt were disconnected from the struggles of everyday Americans.
First whispers about Biden’s possible withdrawal emerged in March. His team attempted to dismiss these concerns, but internal party pressure and public dissatisfaction remained significant.
April: Party uncertainties
April saw the Republican National Committee (RNC) make a bold move. The RNC voted unanimously to withdraw from the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), signaling an early break from the established norms of presidential debates. Trump had been advocating for more direct, unfiltered engagement with voters, and this decision set the stage for a series of non-traditional debates later in the year.
Biden’s re-election efforts showed signs of hesitation. His low approval ratings prompted private discussions about alternative candidates among key party members.
May: Questions surrounding Biden
May brought substantial political changes. The Biden team suggested two non-CPD debates, indicating Democratic establishment divisions. Trump utilised this situation to highlight the administration’s weaknesses.
Democratic Party discussions about potential Biden replacements increased. Speculation included Vice President Kamala Harris or possibly a centrist candidate challenging the incumbent.
June: The first debate – a pivotal moment
The first major presidential debate took place on June 27, hosted by CNN in Atlanta. This debate marked a pivotal moment in the election. Biden’s performance was widely criticised, with many pundits describing it as a disaster. His inability to communicate clearly and his tendency to lose track of his thoughts raised questions about his fitness for another term. While Biden’s policies were lauded, his debate performance was seen as a major liability.
Post-debate discussions about replacing Biden increased. Despite continued support from Obama and Clinton, serious private conversations occurred regarding Biden’s potential withdrawal. Biden rejected resignation suggestions, but his campaign suffered significantly.
July: The assassination attempt and Biden’s withdrawal
July proved to be a pivotal month in the race for the White House, with the attempt on Trump’s life proving to be a defining moment. On July 13, during a rally Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt, but the MAGA chief stood tall and shouted, “fight, fight, fight.”
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, Trump’s public appearances became even more tightly controlled, but his campaign saw a surge in support from voters who viewed him as a resilient figure facing adversity head-on.
On the Democratic front, President Biden’s poor showing at the June 27 debate drew widespread criticism, as his unclear and disconnected answers raised doubts about his leadership capabilities. On July 21, under substantial pressure from party leadership, Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race, citing concerns regarding his capacity to serve another term. This unexpected development positioned Vice President Kamala Harris as the primary Democratic candidate, setting up a contest between Harris and Trump.
August: The shifting dynamics
August brought significant changes to the electoral landscape. Harris encountered difficulties establishing a distinct campaign identity and faced aggressive criticism from Trump. Despite her efforts to secure support from women and minority communities, the contest remained close. Trump maintained his focus on economic concerns, particularly inflation and immigration, whilst maintaining significant media attention.
September: The showdown
The second presidential debate, held on September 10 by ABC News, proved to be a decisive moment in the race. It featured Kamala Harris against Donald Trump, and while the debate had been highly anticipated, Harris’ attempts to fight back ended in vain. Trump, despite his inflammatory rhetoric and numerous false claims, was declared the winner by most news outlets.
Trump’s influence continued to expand. His polling numbers improved, and his message resonated across political divisions. Harris faced increasing pressure to strengthen her campaign strategy, yet Trump’s lead in surveys continued to expand.
October: The final push
October marked the final campaign phase. Harris struggled to recover from the September debate impact, whilst Trump maintained strong momentum with solid Republican support. The vice-presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz received limited attention, but highlighted Democratic Party divisions.
November: The victory
On November 6, Election Day, Trump secured victory. Major networks, including Fox News and CNN, announced Trump’s win.
At West Palm Beach, Florida, accompanied by his family and running mate JD Vance, Trump proclaimed victory, stating, “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
Harris subsequently conceded defeat in a brief statement, concluding the campaign.
December: Post-election period
Trump achieved his White House return despite legal challenges, an assassination attempt, and Republican Party divisions. Financial markets responded positively to his victory. His supporters celebrated this as an anti-establishment triumph, whilst opponents expressed concern about his future leadership.
The aftermath of the election has reverberated beyond US borders, similar to the old adage: “When the US sneezes, the world catches a cold”. The US President-elect Donald Trump has already expressed his intention to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland and annex Canada. As the presidential transition proceeds, there is widespread speculation about the nature of Trump’s second term.
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Publish date : 2024-12-30 03:58:00
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