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US Election 2024 : Donald Trump has once again found himself in the political spotlight after an attempt to assassinate him for the second time as the US election is set to take place in November 2024. Shots were fired near Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 15, 2024. This is the second attack within a few months, with Trump recently being attacked, and a similar incident occurring in July when a gunman attempted to shoot Trump during a campaign appearance at Butler, Pennsylvania. The race may take another dynamic turn with these attacks, as both survived, but clearly now it is a critical juncture for the Trump campaign because Vice President Kamala Harris joins the fray.
A Pivotal Moment for the Trump Campaign
Then came the second assassination attempt while at this critical juncture for Trump, whose campaign continued to gain momentum that it struggled to find footing with a series of remarks, some quite controversial, such as those regarding “Haitis eating pets” and a public feud with pop star Taylor Swift. Those incidents brought in a barrage of retribution and internal uprisings within the Republican Party against the former president, with many of his allies distancing themselves from him. According to Bloomberg, the attempt on the life of Trump might end up being an unpredicted political windfall for the man. Allies say it will allow Trump to play the role of a beleaguered yet resilient figure, struggling against the kind of forces that want to bring him down.
Ryan Wesley Routh, the alleged assassin, has already been arrested, and motives are yet to be ascertained. But timing could not be any more crucial. Just as Trump runs for another stint at the White House, these incidents may chisel his image in front of the voters. Survival narrative can be very sweet for his base and the rest, heaving him a chance to reclaim momentum.
Trump’s Blame Game: Old Habitat
Hours after the attack, Trump focused his finger at political opponents. In particular, he blamed the Democratic Party and Vice President Kamala Harris and accused them of divisive rhetoric that led to violence. According to Trump, “rhetoric and lies” by the Democrats are responsible for the bullet flying. It is an unsubstantiated claim, but one Trump has used repeatedly during his presidency and previous political campaigns: he has inspired an attack to be labeled as coming from politicized opponents of himself. This time, by tagging the attack to political adversaries, Trump hopes that the incident falls in the framework of an even bigger battle between himself and what he claims are hostile forces in the government.
Republican strategist James Davis told Al Jazeera that Trump’s reaction is in character with his earlier campaigns, observing, “It is kind of a reminder of how close of a call July actually was, how significant it was for so many people.” For those who have supported Trump, the attempted assassinations may help mobilize them even further. The image of Trump as a “fighter” who can withstand threats is contributed to his overall campaign message, which is to stand strong against the establishment.
Polls Show Tight Race Between Harris and Trump
As Trump struggles to contain the fallout from the attempt on his life, VP Kamala Harris continues her campaign across all key swing states. Polls suggest that the battle between Trump and Harris is neck-and-neck, more so in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio. Both candidates are reported to be neck-and-neck by recent polling data-the incumbent cannot appear able to take any clear lead.
Harris, who aims to shatter the glass ceiling by becoming the first female president, has kept her campaign much more streamlined and centered on issues such as healthcare, climate change, and racial justice. She has grown up under the intense tension and pervasive division in the country that was seen during the 2024 election, yet she is faring well with stable approval ratings despite everything she does coming under closer examination, making it possible for her to still be competitive with Trump.
None of the three debates held since their presidential candidate debate in Houston last week do it justice. In a US Presidential Debate held on September 12, Harris was widely considered the winner by political experts and pollsters alike. However, this victory did not shift the dynamics of race in any meaningful way, and the assassination attempt on Trump just days later has only added more uncertainty to the contest. Trump’s survival and continued campaigning have become the talking points, raising the question of how voters will respond to all of that when they vote in November.
How Will Assassination Attempts Serve the Interest of Trump?
The assassination attempts on the life of Trump are likely to act as a flag in the 2024 election. Trump had capitalized on similar situations in the previous elections. There was always controversy and conflict which supported his campaign. For instance, surviving two assassination attempts within a few months of each other repositioned Trump as the tough warrior-like candidate. The events may make some voters sympathize with him in a way, but they also add to the perception that he is a threat because he never compromises on his positions.
Bloomberg reports say these attempts at killing Trump will enable him to campaign as if he had faced the worst and emerged unscathed. His narrative of overcoming adversity would find sympathetic ears in his core, which over the years admired the capacity of Trump to stand up to what he considers to be attacks from his political opponents and the press.
On the other hand, some political analysts feel that this event will only further polarize the electorate. While Trump would gain more sympathy and sympathy votes from his base, he is likely to alienate the undecided voters and moderates due to his hard-hitting rhetorics and attacks on his opponents. The shootings may also raise questions over the safety and security of a second term for the Donald Trump administration, leaving some voters to question whether Trump can really be the leader to lift this country out of these dark times.
US Election 2024 : Business as Usual Through the Mayhem
Where attention was plentiful for Trump following the attempted assassinations, Kamala Harris just moved right along with her campaign, hosting several events in swing states. Harris’ campaign is banking on a more sober message and a message of unity as she seeks to court the fatigued constituency who are getting tired of the mess in Trump’s candidacy. The vice president has approached recent violence measuredly, avoiding the war of words with Trump and focusing on policy debates.
The next few weeks will be precarious for Harris as she tries to maintain her momentum against the tightening race. While her team can still talk a great deal about stability and leadership, it will contrast decidedly with the kind of chaotic and gladiatorial style the presidency of Trump represents. Polling experts believe that her forthcoming debates and public appearances will play a crucial role in swinging undecided voters her way.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for the 2024 Election
In the run-up to the final outcome of the US election, the attempts on Donald Trump’s life would surely feature prominently – or so it looks at least. It will be interesting to see if the assassins prove able to grant Trump a new lease of life and enough momentum to pull him ahead of Kamala Harris. Portraying himself as a fighter targeted by powerful forces may look meaningful to his supporters, but it also alienates the other voters who might want to see stability and unity.
Kamala Harris continues the campaign in which she focuses most on policy and stable leadership. It just might be her ace as she looks to make history in becoming the first female president of the United States, with her ability to stay level-headed and composed amidst mounting political chaos.
Of course, at this stage, it is too close to call as the campaigns enter the final few weeks before election day. What is left now is a few weeks of the campaign, and both candidates are going to have to make a few very tough choices that are going to define the rest of the 2024 election. The campaigns against assassinating Trump have added a new layer of unpredictability to an already volatile election.