As summer kicked off, the heated election race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden took a drastic turn as many surprising events unfolded. An attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, Biden stepping down after a difficult debate, and Vice President Kamala Harris stepping up to run as president makes this election race unparalleled.
The first scheduled debate between two major candidates was on June 27, 2024. The main reason the debate was set up was to see how Biden’s age is affecting him. In the debate, Biden showed many that his age is affecting him. In the hour and a half long debate, Biden gets confused a countless number of times, jumbles his sentences, and loses track of his thoughts. Alongside the downfall of Biden, there was a multitude of unanticipated modifications to this year’s election.
Election turns violent
On July 13, 2024, Trump spoke at a Republican rally in Butler, Pennsylvania when eight shots rang out. Trump was shot once in the ear and was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injury.
Trump survived the injury, but former Fire chief, Corey Comperatore, died protecting his family. He heard the gunshots, jumped on his wife and two daughters, and used his body to cover them. One of the flying shots hit Comperatore and ended his life.
Two other members of the rally were injured but both have recovered since the incident. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Cooks, was positioned above the rally on a roof from a nearby building. The weapon used was an AR-15 semi-automatic. The assassin had explosives stocked up in his car and home to cause further destruction.
Cooks was a 20-year-old American man from Pittsburg who was killed by the Secret Service following the shooting. There have been lots of questions and accusations as to how the shooting occurred. The Secret Service appeared to be understaffed and unprepared. Nathan Bridges, ‘25, believes the shooting could have been prevented.
“I think the Secret Service could’ve stopped it, and the shooter had such a clear shot that only Trump turning his head saved him,” Bridges said. “Honestly, I think the shooting made him more popular, his fist in the air and him going back to the place he was shot at just gained him more popularity.”
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Later that same month on July 21, after the Trump Biden debate, Biden announced he would step down via X and endorse Harris to go against Trump in the election with only four months to go.
There has been speculation on why Biden dropped out and if it was planned. Junior Caleb Tuck gives his point of view as to why Biden dropped out so unexpectedly.
“I don’t think it was Biden’s decision, I think the Democratic party realized that Biden’s health was declining,” said Tuck. “He’s in his late seventies and his health is declining.”
If Harris wins, she will be the first ever female president. Previously, there has been one either female, Hillary Clinton, who ran for president. Clinton lost to Republican candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Trump is also looking to beat Harris this year, but it won’t be easy. Many democrats are pushing for Harris to be the next president considering she would be the first woman president.
Senior Natalie Sullivan, who is now eligible to vote, expressed enthusiasm about Harris running for president and the potential of her becoming the first female president.
‘‘I think that Harris being the first African American, South-Asian and women to potentially be the next president is amazing,” said Sullivan. “The fact that it’s possible that she could be the face of representation for all young women to aspire to is amazing and truly does highlight the aim of the party as a whole.”
The media is the most essential and influential part for the candidates. Candidates can use the media to convince voters that their way is right. On the downside, the media can be negative and persuade Americans to switch from one side to another. Harris was late to give Americans a glimpse into her policies or goals for her presidency if she wins.
Policies
Only a few of Harris’ policies were revealed before the Democratic National Convention (DNC); her policies included: abortion and reproductive rights, child care, health care, and immigration. Prior to the DNC, Harris did not participate in any formal press conferences or big speeches. At the Democratic National Convention, Harris accepted her nomination as president and partnered with her Vice President Tim Walz, current Minnesota governor. She spoke on her love for the United States and how our country will come together and move forward as one.
On the other hand, Trump put his policies on display for Americans early in the race. From July 15-18, Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention (RNC). At the RNC, Trump spoke on his attempted assassination, immigration, jobs, and our economy. He announced his appointed Vice President, JD Vance in July, months before the DNC. Trump is determined to “Make America Great Again.” Trump plans to confront the issues in America: crime, education, healthcare immigration, the economy and more. Trump has made several promises on the campaign trail and Americans are looking to see if these promises are fulfilled if he wins the election.
Middle School History teacher Nicole Larson talks about how it is difficult to vote when only one side has been heard.
“To me the media is very one-sided, it is only presenting one part. When both sides aren’t presented, it’s hard to make a decision,” Larson said. ”It’s not about convincing someone that you’re right, it’s about presenting two different opinions on something and allowing the people to choose. That’s true democracy.”
Americans are aspiring for changes. We can accomplish these changes by voting and being active in what’s going on in our country. There are three main ways to vote: voting early, voting by mail, and voting at the polls on election day. As an American, voting is a necessity to the future of our country and your voice matters.
Dates to look forward to:
- September 10 – Presidential Debate on ABC
- October 1 – Vice President Debate on CBS
- November 5 – 2024 Election Day
Danielle Arndt • Sep 5, 2024 at 10:13 am
Such a great article! I love how you presented the facts and gave attention to both perspectives. Keep it up, Lala!
Chloe McDonald • Sep 3, 2024 at 11:12 pm
Very well written Lala! It’s very interesting reading about all the election updates all condensed into one informative article. Loved all the interviews you included as well to see everyone else’s point of view on this upcoming election. Keep up the good work!