The U.S. election campaign leading up to November 5 has been marked by unprecedented events, courtroom drama, and moments that have defined the race. Here are five key moments that have shaped this extraordinary campaign between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
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**1. Trump the Felon**
On May 30, Donald Trump made history by becoming the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes. The jury found him guilty of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the lead-up to the 2016 election. The explosive six-week trial, which included revealing details from Daniels about their alleged encounter, pulled Trump from the campaign trail. Despite the conviction and ongoing legal troubles, Trump’s support among Republicans remained strong, and his status as the party’s standard-bearer remained unchanged.
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**2. Debate Drama**
On June 27, President Joe Biden delivered a disastrous debate performance against Trump, raising significant concerns about his fitness for re-election. The 81-year-old president stumbled over his words and appeared to forget key points, leading to growing unease among Democratic supporters. While Biden dismissed it as a “bad night,” dissent within the party grew, with some donors threatening to withdraw support if he did not step aside. Post-debate polling indicated Trump gaining ground, but the White House remained firm that Biden would not withdraw from the race.
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**3. Assassination Attempt**
A shocking moment occurred during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. As Trump addressed the crowd, gunfire erupted, causing him to drop to the ground as Secret Service agents surrounded him. Trump was only grazed on the ear, and the assailant was killed at the scene. Trump used the incident to galvanize his base, proclaiming, “I took a bullet for democracy,” and the rally became one of the defining images of his campaign.
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**4. Biden Says ‘Bye’**
On July 21, President Biden tweeted that he would not seek re-election, making him the first sitting president since 1968 to step aside before the election. This announcement shifted the dynamics of the race significantly, as Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice president, quickly emerged as his endorsed successor. Within two weeks, she secured the Democratic nomination, becoming the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket. Harris revitalized the Democratic base, quickly closing the gap with Trump in swing state polling.
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**5. Trump’s Second Scare**
On September 15, Trump faced another life-threatening situation during a round of golf in Florida when gunfire erupted, this time from a Secret Service agent responding to a suspect aiming a rifle in the direction of the former president. Although Trump was unharmed, the incident underscored the volatile nature of the political climate leading up to the election. Trump attributed this scare to the “rhetoric” of Biden and Harris, while Democrats condemned the political violence, further highlighting the tensions in U.S. politics.
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