US Presidential Election 2024. Joe Biden Resigns, Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump, What's Next for the Campaign?

Although the last week was full of a series of events that could shake up the American political scene and change its landscape, the beginning of a kind of acceleration in the American presidential campaign should be dated June 27. Then, a debate took place that – perhaps – initiated a whole series of subsequent events. In the unanimous opinion of commentators Joe Biden he did very poorly in it, which inevitably gained him electoral points Donald Trumpdreaming of returning to the White House after four years.

US presidential debate: Biden on 'stray cat morality', Trump: I did nothing wrong

The debate, or rather Biden's disappointing performance, opened Pandora's box. Questions began to multiply about the condition of the incumbent president, about his health, to put it bluntly, whether he had the strength to effectively fight for re-election and – in the event of a November victory – continue to lead a world power.

It was after this debate that the discussion about the possible replacement of the Democratic candidate began to heat up, the American media began to report that voices were beginning to appear in Biden's circle advising him to withdraw from the presidential race. On the other hand, there were also voices toning down the situation, saying that November was still a few months away, that Biden would “get going”, that it was just a temporary worsening of disposition caused by illness. Moreover, in the first few days after the debate, Biden himself presented such a narrative. He said that “after a fall, you have to get up and keep fighting.”

At the turn of June and July, Democrats saw a gradual weakening of faith in Joe Biden's victory and his entire campaign, but everyone in this environment – at least officially – respected his signals that he did not intend to withdraw from the race and that he believed in his victory over Trump.

And here we come to an event that may have a great deal of significance for the future of Trump and his campaign, and in which, paradoxically, his rival for the White House did not participate at all. On July 13, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, there was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump. He himself was wounded in the ear, one of the rally participants was killed, two people were wounded, and the assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was also shot. However, the photo showing a bloodied Trump, quickly getting up after falling, accompanied by his bodyguards, while presenting the symbol of a clenched fist, made a huge impression.

This event, although dramatic and far beyond the framework of the presidential campaign, paradoxically accelerated this campaign. Now, discussions began not only about whether Joe Biden “can do it,” but how this assassination attempt would affect Trump's own attitude. This event forced Biden to strongly condemn the attack, show support for Trump in this emergency and call on American society for reconciliation.

But politically, the sequence of events worked out well for Trump. Just two days after the Milwaukee attack, the Republican convention began, during which he officially accepted the nomination for president of the United States and also introduced his vice presidential candidate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. Just five days after the attempted attack Trump also delivered his own speech, in which he described how the attack unfolded.

Meanwhile, at Saturday's rally in Michigan, the first since the attempted bombing in Pennsylvania, Among other things, Trump said that he “took a bullet for democracy.”

Meanwhile, the Democrats were intensifying the discussion about Biden's future. The president himself was consistently insisting that he was capable of successfully fighting for reelection. At the same time, almost exactly when Trump was triumphantly speaking at the Republican convention, the White House announced that Biden has been infected with COVID-19 and was forced to interrupt the election campaign.

These few days may have influenced his decision to withdraw from the race, which he announced on Sunday.

Thus ends a long week of American politics, counted from the assassination attempt on Trump to Biden's decision to withdraw from the race for the White House.

Perhaps one of the most exciting in recent US political history. But at the same time, another one is beginning, which – it is almost certain now – will bring equally important events and decisions. First, in the week starting July 22, Biden is to give a speech to the nation, in which he will talk more about his decision. Second – the Democrats will have to decide who will be their candidate.

Biden gave his support to incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday evening. The campaign will certainly take on a new dynamic, which will also force a change in Donald Trump's election tactics. And although by November elections There are a few months left, looking at how much is happening in politics overseas, they may pass like one week.

As exciting as the last one.