US Election Campaign: Unforgettable Moments | US News
As the presidential election campaign nears its climax, a series of dramatic events have unfolded including an assassination attempt, changing candidates, and peculiar claims on the campaign trail.
With the election just days away, let’s recap some of the most significant moments…
Trump shot at rally
On July 13th, Donald Trump made history as the first president or candidate to be shot since Ronald Reagan in 1981.
The incident occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump narrowly escaped a bullet wound to his ear.
Donald Trump held up his fist after the gunshot grazed his ear. Pic: AP
Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman, fired eight shots at Trump from a nearby building before being killed by a Secret Service sniper. Corey Comperatore, a volunteer fire chief, was fatally shot while shielding his family.
Despite the chaos, Trump pumped his fist and urged his supporters to “fight” as Secret Service agents shielded him.
Musk endorses Trump
Following the shooting, billionaire Elon Musk publicly endorsed Trump on social media, declaring his support and wishing for Trump’s quick recovery.
Musk’s endorsement was not just influential due to his massive social media presence, but also because of his significant financial contributions to the Trump campaign. Between July and October, Musk donated millions to support Trump’s bid and spoke at several of his rallies.
Biden drops out of the running
Amid mounting pressure, President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July after a series of blunders, including a disastrous debate with Trump. Biden threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, urging Democrats to support her campaign.
Harris runs for office
With Biden out of the race, Kamala Harris garnered President Obama’s endorsement and became the Democratic candidate in August. She emphasized unity and a new vision for the country in her campaign.
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Harris addresses Democratic National Convention after nomination
Despite being the Democratic nominee, Harris faced some challenges in securing her party’s support. However, with Obama’s endorsement, Harris was declared the official candidate and began her campaign with a message of unity and progress.
‘Kamala IS brat’
Charli XCX’s endorsement of Kamala Harris as “brat” created a buzz on social media. While the term initially raised eyebrows, it took on a positive meaning representing confidence and independence.
Harris capitalized on the trend, using artwork inspired by Charli XCX’s album to promote her campaign.
The branding on Harris’s account. Pic:@KamalaHQ/X
The Brat album cover. Pic: Charli XCX
‘Childless cat ladies’
Controversial remarks made by Trump’s running mate JD Vance resurfaced, with Vance referring to Democratic women as “childless cat ladies”. Despite facing criticism for his comments, Vance stood by his statement, sparking a debate on family values.
Jennifer Aniston criticized Vance’s remarks, highlighting the diverse choices people make regarding family life.
Trump questions Harris’s racial identity
During a convention hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump insensitively questioned Kamala Harris’s racial heritage, causing uproar among the audience. Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, responded by denouncing the racial scrutiny.
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‘Is she Indian or is she black?’
Despite the challenges, both candidates continued to campaign vigorously, addressing key issues and reaching out to voters until election day.
Stay tuned as more drama unfolds in this nail-biting race for the presidency.
