The 2024 presidential election can be noted as one of the most eventful elections in history, with record-setting results that stunned Americans on both sides of the political aisle.
The 2024 election season began with former President Donald Trump representing the Republican party alongside his vice presidential candidate, JD Vance, and President Joe Biden representing the Democratic party with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump and Biden participated in the first presidential debate of the year on June 27, 2024.
During a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, Trump was the target of an assassination attempt in which two of his supporters were injured and one was killed. Trump was grazed in the ear with a bullet but avoided any serious injury.
Less than two weeks later, on July 21, Biden officially dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Harris, who became the Democratic party’s official candidate on Aug. 5. Harris announced her vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz, the next day. Trump and Harris participated in the second presidential debate on Sept. 10.
Sept. 15 shocked supporters with a second assassination attempt against Trump, though no one was injured and the suspect was apprehended before he fired any shots..
The vice presidential debate between Vance and Walz, the last debate of the 2024 presidential election, occurred on Oct. 1.
Over 155 million voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5 in the 60th presidential election, with Trump winning both the popular vote and the electoral votes needed to become the next president. Trump received over 77 million votes and Harris received 75 million, with Trump winning all seven battleground states—six of which had voted for Biden in 2020.
The election ended with Trump being awarded 312 electoral votes and Harris receiving 226, putting Trump well over the 270 required to win the presidency. The election also resulted in the Republican Party maintaining control of the House of Representatives and gaining a majority in the Senate.
On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump made his return to the White House and was officially sworn into office as the 47th president of the United States of America.
