From 2020 to 2024: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on home stretch

The 2024 US presidential election is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump locked in a tight battle. With a day to go for polling, both Harris and Trump are at the centre of global attention. However, both faced different political landscapes in the closing days of the 2020 election.

In 2020, it was a historic moment for then-Senator Kamala Harris as she joined Joe Biden's team as the first Black and South Asian woman to be nominated for vice president by a major party. She would go on to make history that year as Biden defeated Trump in a chaotic election.

The 2024 poll was initially a rematch of 2020. However, it was upended in July when President Biden ended his campaign and endorsed Vice President Harris. Now, she is gearing up to become America's first female president and the first woman of colour for the top job.

For Trump, the scenario was completely different. In 2020, Trump was battling for re-election in a year shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic. Fast-forward to 2024, Trump is now seeking a rare comeback, with the baggage of a host of controversies and the label of becoming the first US president -- former or current -- charged with criminal activity.

KAMALA HARRIS: FROM VICE-PRESIDENT TO FIRST BLACK WOMAN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

In 2020, Kamala Harris, who is of Indian-Jamaican heritage, initially ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. However, Biden won the race and chose Harris as his running mate, calling her "a fearless fighter". She was chosen not only for her extensive legal and legislative experience, but also as a symbol of hope and representation for the 47.9 million Black Americans.

In the run-up to the 2020 polls, Harris focused on core messages of unity and rebuilding America post the Trump era, in contrast to the more divisive tone of the Trump campaign. She focused on rallying African American and minority communities, particularly in key swing states.

Criminal justice reform was a key plank of her campaign, defined by the years she spent as a California prosecutor. Harris's appeal to younger and diverse voters was key in Biden securing a win, albeit narrow, in key swing states.

Cut to 2024, with only a short period of campaigning ahead of her after Biden withdrew from the race, Harris had no time to waste. Coming out of Biden's shadow, Harris has spent much of her time trying to differentiate her role as vice president from what she planned to do if elected.

This time, Harris's focus has not only been to galvanise key voter blocs but also on demonstrating her experience and competence to lead the world's largest economy. The Democrat has put abortion and policies at the forefront of her campaign while staying away from the "break the glass ceiling" narrative in her last stretch. She has repeatedly reminded voters that democracy and reproductive rights were at stake.

In the final days in the lead up to the polls, both candidates have held a host of rallies in the battleground states which hold the key to the White House.

DONALD TRUMP: FROM INCUMBENT TO COME BACK CAMPAIGN

In 2020, Donald Trump was gearing up for re-election amid significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump's handling of the pandemic faced wide criticism as he opposed prolonged lockdowns and prioritised economic reopening.

In the final days of the 2020 race, Trump put up a defiant face, rejecting scientific consensus on the Covid-19 risks, which alienated some moderate voters. He also brazenly declared that the only way he could lose was if the poll outcome was rigged and accused the Democrats of "trying to steal" the election as surveys hinted at a Biden win.

Now, as Trump attempts a rare comeback in 2024, he has again sought to undermine confidence in the American electoral system. At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump said he shouldn't have "left" the White House, bringing back apprehensions that he may not accept the outcome if he loses the presidential race.

If it was his handling of the Covid pandemic in 2020, Trump faces new challenges this time: multiple criminal investigations and ongoing trials.

In the final days of his 2024 campaign, Trump's strategy has focused on portraying the Biden administration as a failure, particularly on issues like inflation, and his pet theme of immigration. His rally schedule has been packed, with stops in every key battleground state, wooing the working class with his promise to put America first.