 "On Sunday, Joe Biden’s announcement to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race was the final act in a series of jaw-dropping events that began with the shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump. This whirlwind of political upheaval has left America reeling. Image for Representation. Reuters")
In a week that has redefined political drama, the last eight days of the US presidential campaign have been nothing short of extraordinary.
On Sunday, Joe Biden’s announcement to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race was the final act in a series of jaw-dropping events that began with the shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump. This whirlwind of political upheaval has left America reeling.
With the November election approaching closer, the road ahead promises to be just as tumultuous as the week that has passed, with new twists and turns waiting around every corner. Here’s what happened in the past week.
Saturday: Trump assassination attempt
Republican candidate Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination bid during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old on a nearby rooftop opened fire.
Putting on a brave face, the bloodied candidate emerged about a minute later and could be heard saying, “wait, wait,” before pumping his fist in the air, mouthing the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
The pictures of Trump defiantly shaking his fist as Secret Service agents rush him from the stage become iconic, galvanising his supporters.
Monday: The Republican National Convention begins
Less than 48 hours after surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump made a triumphant entrance to a roaring crowd at the Republican National Convention. His ear, injured during the attempt, was covered by a white bandage as he held his fist aloft in defiance.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTrump announced his vice-presidential running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who had once been a fierce critic of the former US President, even calling him “an idiot.”
According to a BBC report, Vance had written privately to an associate on Facebook in 2016, saying: “I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical a**hole … or that he’s America’s Hitler."
Gradually, Vance came to embrace Trump in 2022 as he sought a Senate seat and eventually won the former president’s endorsement in a crowded Republican primary.
Wednesday: Pressure on Biden increases
Biden’s support continued to dwindle following his disastrous June 27 debate with Trump, as Democratic fear grew over the 81-year-old’s age and ability to beat Trump at the polls – then serve another four years.
Adam Schiff, a top Democratic lawmaker, joined a fast-growing list of party officials urging the president to step aside, praising him but saying “our nation is at a crossroads."
Biden is also diagnosed with Covid, forced to step off the campaign trail and retreat to his beach home in Delaware to recover.
In an interview released the same day, Biden said he could reconsider his election bid if a “medical condition” emerged.
Thursday: Pelosi, Obama and Trump
New signs of waning Democrat support emerged: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had been working to resolve the growing crisis, reportedly told House Democrats that the president might soon be persuaded to exit the race.
Barack Obama, one of the most influential Democrats, joined the growing chorus within the party calling for Biden to drop out. According to The Washington Post, the former president, who was once Biden’s boss, told allies that Biden should “seriously consider the viability of his candidacy.”
Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, Trump accepted his nomination at the Republican National Convention, promising an enraptured crowd that they could expect an “incredible victory” in November.
Friday: ‘Stakes are high’
With the list of lawmakers urging Biden to drop out reaching 25, he again insisted he would stay in the race, saying, “The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win."
“I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week,” the 81-year-old added, as his doctor said the president was bouncing back from the symptoms of the disease.
Saturday: ‘Bullet for democracy’
At his first rally since the attempted assassination, Trump addressed a rapt crowd in swing state Michigan, declaring, “I took a bullet for democracy,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC. “What did I do against democracy?” he added.
In his speech, Trump thanked the “thousands and thousands” of people who came to see him “almost exactly” a week after the assassination bid.
He also mocked Democrats’ leadership crisis, and said, “They have no idea who their candidate is.” He added, “This guy goes and he gets the votes and now they want to take it away.”
“As you’re seeing, the Democrat Party is not the party of democracy. They’re really the enemies of democracy,” the Republican candidate stated.
Sunday: Biden’s big announcement
Sunday begins with key Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat-aligned independent, joining the chorus urging Biden to step aside.
Two polls brought grim news for the president, one showing sharply dropping support in battleground state Michigan, the other showing Trump enjoying his highest favourability ratings in years.
Biden then posted a stunning statement on social media announcing he is ending his candidacy, saying it is “in the best interest of my party and the country."
He further endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new nominee, as top Democrats such as Bill and Hillary Clinton echo their support.
Trump declared on social media that Biden was “not fit to run” and “is certainly not fit to serve.” Republicans including House Speaker Mike Johnson insist that Biden “must resign” as president “immediately."
The Democratic Party chairman announced there will be a “transparent and orderly” to pick someone to run in Biden’s place.
With input from AFP