The 2024 presidential race went from deja vu to unprecedented overnight
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It can be hard to remember from where we sit today, but when this presidential campaign began, it looked a lot like the last one. Everything sounded familiar, down to the candidates. In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States. That's why I'm running for re-election, because I know America.

I know we're good and decent people. Former President Donald Trump and sitting President Joe Biden became the presumptive nominees for their parties in March. This year was set to be the first U.S. presidential rematch since 1956. And everyone thought, OK, we all know sequels are rarely more interesting than the original. In fact, it seemed like this election might be downright boring.

Well, the joke was on us, because while we can't say what the outcome of this election will be, we can say that Americans have just lived through the most dramatic, eventful, unexpected presidential campaign of our lives.

More Democrats seem to be getting cold feet over President Biden's re-election campaign. We are watching live at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Trump was speaking on the stage. A shooting at former President Trump's campaign rally is being investigated as an attempted assassination. President Joe Biden has just announced that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. A second apparent attempt on former President Trump's life. This time, the incident...

Consider this. In a few short months, the 2024 presidential race became one of the most turbulent campaigns we've seen. Now, with less than a week to go until Election Day, it's anyone's guess who will win. From NPR, I'm Ari Shapiro. ♪

It's Consider This from NPR. The 2024 presidential campaign went from deja vu to utter chaos in a matter of months. So today we're revisiting the key moments that brought us to this point in the race. Let's start with the evening of June 27th, 2024. ♪

We're live from Georgia, a key battleground state in the race for the White House. The debate between President Biden and former President Trump in Atlanta. This was unusually early in the calendar for a presidential debate, and that timing would turn out to be crucial because Biden's performance sent Democrats into a tailspin. I'm eligible for what I've been able to do with the COVID, excuse me, with dealing with

everything we have to do with, look, if we finally beat Medicare. Members of the Democratic Party began calling for Biden to drop out. But the president was resolute. Here's what he told ABC's George Stephanopoulos the week after the debate. If you can be convinced that you cannot defeat Donald Trump, will you stand down?

With the friends of the Lord Almighty comes out and tells me that I'm not too bad. Biden sent a letter to congressional Democrats saying, quote, I am firmly committed to staying in this race.

But former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi didn't seem to get the message. She said this on MSNBC's Morning Joe. It's up to the president to decide if he is going to run. We're all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short. And just like that, she reignited the debate over Biden's future. Then, while Democrats were wringing their hands, a major event rocked the Trump campaign. Take a look at what happened over there.

On July 13th, a man outside of a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, shot the former president, grazing his ear. One person died and two were critically wounded. The next morning, Trump posted on social media, quote, we will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness. We have breaking news here. Former President Donald Trump just announced that J.D. Vance,

Two days after the attempt on his life, Trump chose his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. It was the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. And that night, Vance told Fox News about getting the call from Trump. You know, he just said, look, I think I'm going to go save this country. I think you're the guy who can help me in the best way. You can help me govern. You can help me win.

Republicans kicked off their convention feeling like they were on a roll. The event almost had a religious fervor, with people wearing bandages over their ears in solidarity with Trump. In his July 19th speech accepting the Republican nomination for president, Trump referenced that assassination attempt. I'm not supposed to be here tonight. Not supposed to be here. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Thank you.

But I'm not. And I'll tell you, I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of Almighty God.

And while Republicans were celebrating in Milwaukee, Biden was sidelined with COVID. Finally, on July 21st, the president posted on social media that he was ending his campaign. President Joe Biden has just announced that he is dropping out of the 2024... He offered his, quote, full support and endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party's nominee, cementing the decision in a formal address two days later. So I've decided the best way forward...

is to pass the torch to a new generation. That's the best way to unite our nation. Harris would have the shortest runway of any presidential campaign in modern history. She would need to introduce herself to voters, explain a policy agenda, draw a contrast with Trump, and also choose a running mate. On August 16th in Philadelphia, she announced her pick. So Pennsylvania, I'm here today because I found such a leader. Minnesota!

A few days later, the Democratic convention in Chicago came with a rush of adrenaline as the party celebrated the first woman of color to lead the Democratic ticket. On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America.

The first and only debate between the two presidential candidates came on September 10th in New York City. They debated policy positions, including on the economy. The polls say 80 and 85 and even 90 percent that the Trump economy was great, that their economy was terrible. Donald Trump has no plan for you.

And when you look at his economic plan, it's all about tax breaks for the richest people. I am offering what I describe as an opportunity economy. Trump also pushed a false claim about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. The people that came in, they're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there. That led to weeks of threats and violence against the community in Springfield.

Five days later, Trump was golfing when his life came under threat once again. Secret Service agents spotted a gunman lurking at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. He didn't fire and Trump wasn't harmed. A few days ago, we had an incident. I have to say Secret Service did a hell of a job. They really did. They caught him.

And that brings us to the last week before Election Day, as Harris and Trump made their final appeals to the American people. On Sunday, former President Trump gave his closing argument at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was a homecoming rally of sorts, where he and his opening acts leaned into divisive rhetoric. On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history.

We will get critical race theory and transgender insanity the hell out of our schools.

And on Tuesday, Vice President Harris made her closing argument at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., the same place where Donald Trump encouraged a crowd to march on the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Harris went through key parts of her platform, from grocery prices to reproductive rights, and drew a stark contrast with Trump. On day one, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list.

When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list full of priorities of what I will get done for the American people.

And now, after four turbulent months, the final polls going into Election Day show a closer race than the U.S. has seen in years. The two candidates appear to be in a dead heat, a tie. Which means as we reach the finish line, this dramatic and unpredictable presidential race is living up to its reputation even down to the very last stretch. ♪

This episode was produced by Catherine Fink. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigan. Thanks to our Consider This Plus listeners who support the work of NPR journalists and help keep public radio strong. Supporters also hear every episode without messages from sponsors. Learn more at plus.npr.org. It's Consider This from NPR. I'm Ari Shapiro.

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