From pandemic to populist rallies: Comparing Harris, Trump 2024 campaigns to 2020

In comparing the campaign conclusions of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020 with the Harris-Walz ticket in 2024, the strategies and atmospheres reflect continuity and adaptation to the evolving political climate.

BIDEN-HARRIS 2020

In 2020, Biden and Harris made a final push in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, crucial regions that would determine the outcome in a divided electorate. Biden concentrated his efforts on Pennsylvania, leveraging his Scranton roots to connect with working-class voters. Harris held socially distanced events in Michigan, aiming to engage voters with a narrative centred on economic recovery and empathy.

The 2020 campaign maintained strict Covid-19 protocols with drive-in rallies and virtual outreach, conveying a message of cautious yet optimistic leadership in a time of national crisis. Election night was particularly tense; Biden and Harris waited until a clear result before holding a celebratory outdoor gathering in Wilmington, Delaware. They marked the victory with an emphasis on unity and a "return to normalcy" for a divided nation.

HARRIS-WALTZ 2024

In 2024, Harris is now at the top of the Democratic ticket alongside Tim Walz, and the closing days of their campaign carry a more energised and assertive tone. Unlike 2020's restrained campaign, the Harris-Walz team has focused on high-profile events across seven battleground states, particularly appealing to young, minority, and working-class voters.

Their messaging is future-oriented, contrasting sharply with Trump's stance on issues like healthcare, abortion, and democratic values. Harris also revisited familiar territory, campaigning in Pennsylvania and Michigan, but has leaned into a more dynamic approach, hosting concerts and large rallies to inspire turnout. This focus reflects the 2024 campaign’s emphasis on grassroots enthusiasm and direct voter mobilisation.

Meanwhile, Tim Walz has brought his experience as Minnesota governor to the campaign, connecting with rural and Midwestern voters in key locations across Wisconsin and Michigan. Walz’s approach emphasises the importance of rural areas for the Democratic ticket, aiming to peel off voters in regions often dominated by Trump’s populist appeal.

Together, Harris and Walz have held major final events, including concerts and rallies, highlighting a more assertive style compared to the cautious tone of 2020.

ELECTION EVE

As Harris and Walz wrap up their campaign for the 2024 election, they are maximising their presence in key battleground states to galvanise voters. On November 4, Harris started the day with a canvass kickoff in Scranton, Pennsylvania, then addressed a rally in Allentown. She continued to rally in Pittsburgh as part of the campaign's final “Get Out The Vote” initiative, with events held across seven battleground states to maximise grassroots energy. Her husband Doug Emhoff joined Harris later in Pennsylvania to further boost turnout efforts.

Meanwhile, Walz and his wife, Gwen Walz, engaged with supporters in Minnesota before heading to Wisconsin for a series of rallies in La Crosse, Stevens Point, and Milwaukee. In Milwaukee, they were joined by musician Eric Benét to encourage last-minute voter engagement. The evening culminated with Walz and Gwen addressing a crowd in Detroit, Michigan, with musical performances by Jon Bon Jovi, The War and Treaty, and the Detroit Youth Choir to highlight the campaign’s inclusive message and draw in diverse communities.

ELECTION DAY

On November 5, Harris and Walz conclude their efforts with an Election Night event at Harris’s alma mater, Howard University in Washington DC, a symbolic venue that ties back to her roots as she awaits the election results.

Howard University holds a special place in Kamala Harris’s life and career. Harris attended Howard, one of the most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities, from 1982 to 1986, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics. According to Harris, Howard shaped her identity and ambitions, offering her a culturally rich environment among a diverse and driven student body. This experience fostered Harris’s commitment to public service and activism, equipping her with the perspective and resilience that would later define her political career.

The contrasting endings of the 2020 and 2024 campaigns highlight shifts in both, the candidates’ roles and the campaign’s tone. Harris’s evolution from vice-presidential candidate to presidential nominee underscores her increased visibility and leadership within the Democratic Party. The emphasis on turnout, particularly among younger demographics, also marks a strategic shift aimed at shaping a long-term Democratic majority.

TRUMP-PENCE 2020

In comparing Trump’s final campaign efforts in 2020 with his current approach in 2024, there are both noticeable consistencies and distinct changes. In 2020, Trump concentrated his last days on critical swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, energising large in-person crowds amid the Covid-19 pandemic despite health warnings.

His rallies leaned on populist themes, and he consistently challenged mail-in voting, preemptively questioning the election’s integrity. These final days were marked by combative rhetoric against political rivals and a strong focus on "law and order" messaging, emphasising his administration’s handling of immigration and economic recovery efforts.

The 2024 landscape itself also plays a role in these strategic adjustments. Since the pandemic no longer dominates the national conversation, Trump is leaning on other core issues like border security, economic policies, and his vision for rebuilding “law and order.”

At the same time, Trump is positioning himself as the anti-establishment candidate once again, despite his previous presidential tenure. This aligns with the broader Republican strategy to appeal to working-class Americans, focusing on economic frustrations and contrasting with Biden’s administration's policies on spending, inflation, and immigration.

TRUMP-VANCE 2024

In 2024, Trump maintained his aggressive rally style and populist messaging. But he now confronts more legal challenges. His campaign rallies in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and other battleground states have retained his signature appeal to conservative, blue-collar voters.

This time, he is even more outspoken about his grievances over the 2020 election and judicial actions against him, positioning himself as a victim of a politicised justice system. His rallies are often marked by strong denunciations of the media and political adversaries, and he frequently addresses his supporters with a vow to reclaim the White House for a "final term."

Trump’s emphasis in 2024 also includes criticisms of Kamala Harris, whom he describes as unfit for the presidency. His rallies focus on the promise to “drain the swamp,” which has resonated deeply with his base. However, the 2024 rallies have also highlighted the shifting political climate and Trump’s shifting narrative, which now intertwines traditional campaign themes with personal vindication from legal and political battles, aiming to galvanise his core supporters even more fervently.

Trump's 2024 campaign has taken a distinctive turn from his 2020 approach, with several key strategic shifts. His team is focusing on reviving elements of his 2016 campaign style, embracing "unscripted" moments that showcase his relatability. Trump’s campaign is intentionally portraying him not only as a political leader but as a figure with whom voters can connect personally. These stops, often at local eateries or small-town gatherings, are designed to capture viral moments that make him appear more approachable and connected to everyday Americans. This contrasts with his more policy-heavy 2020 campaign, which often kept him more formally on script.

Another major difference lies in Trump’s use of media. For 2024, the campaign has fully embraced social media, podcasts, and alternative online platforms to engage supporters. This shift reflects a strategy to bypass traditional media channels, which often critique him, and instead connect directly with audiences through popular podcasts and digital channels.

This approach aims to cater to younger and non-traditional voters by capitalising on the popularity of these influencers, creating a “Trump everywhere” strategy that saturates digital spaces with his messaging. His campaign staff highlighted that these casual, less filtered conversations have been instrumental in bringing out Trump's humour and human side, further distinguishing him from the highly polarized image of 2020.

ELECTION'S EVE

In the final days of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, he is scheduled for a series of high-energy rallies. On November 4, he held rallies in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina. These emphasised his populist messaging and addressed his ongoing legal challenges and grievances from the 2020 election. He has kept his message simple: “Were you better off 4 years ago?”

Trump addressed about 10,000 supporters at a Pittsburgh rally at the same time Harris was holding a rally in the same town, both signifying the importance of Pennsylvania. Trump then held a rally in Michigan, emphasizing how close the race is. He ended the day with his Rally in Michigan continuing to push his narrative of a "stolen election" and promising to fight against the political establishment.

ELECTION'S DAY

Trump is expected to vote Tuesday in Palm Beach, casting a ballot for himself as the Republican nominee for the White House. He will vote at his home precinct, No. 5604, for which the voting site is the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center at 340 Seaview Ave. He is set to host an election night watch party on Tuesday, November 5, in West Palm Beach. It will take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center located at 650 Okeechobee Boulevard.