It has been a long and arduous journey, but we are now just a few mere days away from finding out the result of what is being called one of the most crucial elections in United States history.
So, as we approach the final stages, what have been the huge moments that have defined the race? What were the biggest faux pas and what endorsements have made the biggest impacts?
B&T has you covered with a timeline of the race-defining moments below!
July 11, 2024: Biden’s abilities in question
In all the chaos of the last few months, with Kamala vs Trump dominating headlines, it’s easy to forget that this race commenced with Joe Biden in the democrat seat, ready to take on the former US President. It was around July when questions really started to be raised about the 81-year-olds ability to lead the democratic party to a win in 2024, or in fact continue to lead the country for another term.
On July 11, during a solo press conference, Biden referred to Kamala Harris as Vice President Donald Trump, and seemingly didn’t notice the mistake he had made before proceeding to inform the public how he is “the most qualified person to run for president.”
On that same day, Biden introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” before promptly correcting himself and covering up his faux pas with: “he’s gonna beat President Putin.”
July 13, 2024: Assassination attempt
On July 13, during an open-air rally in Pennsylvania, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, who fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle from a nearby rooftop. As gunfire erupted, Trump covered his ears and sought refuge behind his lectern, where Secret Service agents protected him until the shooter was neutralized. Evan Vucci, a photojournalist with the Associated Press, captured striking images of Trump, blood on his face and ear, pumping his fist and shouting “Fight!” as agents escorted him offstage.
The video and images went viral almost immediately, sparking conspiracy theories that either side of the political spectrum had planned the attempt.
July 15, 2024: JD Vance & a couch, an epic love story
Toward the end of July, things started getting a bit weird on the Trump campaign when the dangers of misinformation came to light in the most bizarre way.
It all started with a post to X by user @rickrudescalves on July 15 that was later deleted. “Can’t say for sure, but he might be the first VP pick to have admitted in a NY Times bestseller to f****** an inside-out latex glove shoved between two couch cushions.”
The Associated Press debunked that post, confirming that ‘No, JD Vance did not have sex with a couch’, but later retracted it, prompting an influx of memes on social media.
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Google Trends data revealed that during the last week of July, people Googling ‘JD Vance couch’ blew past queries for ‘Trump shooting’.
July 18, 2024: The latest fashion statement
While conspiracy theories over Trump’s attempted assassination ran rampant, Trump’s loyal supporters ran immediately to his defence, showing up to rallies with ear bandages that closely resembled the former President’s coverage of his own battle scar.
“President Trump set a new fashion statement, and we’re standing in solidarity with him,” one fan said at a rally.
“This is a sign of our love for him… our thankfulness to god that he is safe,” another said.
July 21, 2024: Biden steps down
On July 21, after weeks of speculation that he was not fit for the job, Biden pulled himself out of the 2024 presidential election and endorsed Harris as his replacement.
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August 22, 2024: In a glass case of emotion
At the first outdoor rally since his assassination attempt, Trump spoke out from behind a huge case of bulletproof glass. Storage containers were also stacked around the venue in North Carolina to create additional walls and block sight lines. Doubling down on the security and perhaps a touch of paranoia, Snipers were positioned on roofs.
September 10, 2024: Raining (or eating) cats and dogs
During the Presidential debate on September 10, Trump appeared to go rogue when asked about immigration and border security, making baseless claims about immigrants living in the United States that went viral all over social media.
“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there”.
The hilarious comments from Trump sparked an influx of memes, and AI-generated posts.
“In Springfield they’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats.” pic.twitter.com/JqPiLgN9jt
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) September 11, 2024
‘They’re eating the dogs’ Us at home… pic.twitter.com/TmeD2HZH90
— Jerry O’Connell (@MrJerryOC) September 11, 2024
Nobody has done more for the cat community than Donald Trump.
That’s just a fact. pic.twitter.com/4oEFXDQfH0
— Trump History (@Trump_History45) September 9, 2024
September 11, 2024: Taylor Swift throws support behind Harris
Swift, who has previously spoken out against Trump, silenced any doubters on September 11th, taking to social media following the debate.
“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift said in a post to Instagram.
“I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades”.
“I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make,” she said.
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October 20, 2024: McDonald’s surprise
Trump surprised voters in the swing state of Pennsylvania on October 20 when he stepped behind the scenes of a working McDonalds drive-through and showcased his fast-food prowess manning the chip fryer.
The hilariously awkward clip went viral almost immediately and had Yelp users reacting in the most hilarious way.
“Senile old man working fries without proper restaurant hygiene,” one reviewer posted.
“Felons working the window here with access to your credit cards and cash,” another said.
October 22, 2024: Elon Musk’s $1,000,000 cash giveaway
In a move that only Elon Musk could pull off, the billionaire announced on Saturday that he would give away $1 million each day until the upcoming election—provided that participants sign his online petition that reads: “The First and Second Amendments guarantee freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. By signing below, I am pledging my support for the First and Second Amendments”.
This strategy would help the America PAC gather contact details from potential voters to mobilise them for Donald Trump.
Congrats, Brian of Wisconsin! https://t.co/gqCQmcPEtg
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 3, 2024
But, not everyone was thrilled about Musk’s giveaway plan with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro calling it “deeply concerning” and suggesting that law enforcement might want to take a closer look. As it turns out, it is illegal in the US to pay individuals with the intent of persuading them to vote or register. The rules extend beyond cash, encompassing any form of monetary incentive, including the likes of alcohol or lottery tickets, according to the Justice Department’s manual on election crimes.
October 26, 2024: Queen Bey endorses Harris
At a rally in the conservative state of Texas, Music superstar Beyoncé officially endorsed US Vice-President Kamala Harris.
In a rare political stand, Beyonce called to the men and women in the room and watching around the country. “We need you” she said.
“I’m here as a mother, a mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in”.
“A world where we have freedom to control our bodies, a world where we’re not divided,” she said.
October 27, 2024: A “floating island of garbage”
Mixing things up a little, Trump asked comedian Tony Hinchcliffe to open his Maddison Square Garden rally. The comedian wasted no time with a comment that left even Trumps most loyal supporters feeling a bit uneasy.
“There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” Hinchcliffe said.
The republican team quickly responded, saying that the joke “does not reflect the views of Trump or the campaign”.
October 30, 2024: Garbage supporters
Just days after Biden seemingly suggested that Trump’s supporters were “garbage”, the Republican nominee stepped into a garbage truck on the campaign trail in Wisconsin donning an orange and yellow safety vest over his white shirt and red tie.
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“How do you like my garbage truck?” Trump asked. “This is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden,” he added.
November 3, 2024: SNL
Just a few short hours ago, Harris appeared on Saturday Night Live in a scripted sketch alongside actor Maya Rudolph, who has been playing her on the show. This marked Harris’ first appearance on the program, which has hosed a number of other presidential candidates over its decades-long run.
“Gosh, I wish I could talk to someone who has been in my shoes, you know, a Black, South-Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay area,” Rudolph said in the sketch.
Just as she sat down at a mirror, Harris appeared in front of her on the other side of the mirror.
“You and me both sister,” Harris replied.
“I am here to remind you — you got this. You can do something your opponent cannot do, you can open doors,” she continued, a subtle dig at Trump.
