The 2024 U.S. election: A year of drama, twists, and surreal moments

UPDATED: Nov 5, 2024 13:10 IST

The 2024 U.S. election cycle has delivered an unforgettable spectacle, filled with drama, surprises, and moments that were both absurd and fascinating. From high-stakes social media clashes to extraordinary debate stage antics, the journey to Election Day has arguably been the most intense, contentious, and bizarre in recent history.

As America, the world’s oldest democracy, braces itself to elect its next president, here’s a look back at some of the wildest moments from this year’s race.

1. Joe Biden Drops Out of the Race
In a surprising early twist, Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race. While his mental acuity had been questioned by critics for some time, his performance on the debate stage against Donald Trump proved a turning point. This event, alongside a series of high-profile gaffes, made headlines and social media alike, earning Biden the nickname, “Commander-in-Chief of Awkward Moments.”
With Biden out, his Vice President, Kamala Harris, stepped up to take his place on the Democratic ticket, marking the first major shift in this year’s dramatic election.

2. Assassination Attempt on Trump
In one of the most alarming events of the campaign, an assassination attempt was made on Donald Trump, nearly bringing his campaign to a halt. Trump survived the incident, which became a rallying cry for his supporters, who hailed him as the man “who took a bullet for America.” The Republican Convention subsequently leveraged the incident, reinforcing their portrayal of Trump as a resilient leader.
But with Biden’s resignation, the dynamics shifted dramatically as Kamala Harris entered the race, reinvigorating the Democratic Party and changing the race's tone.

3. Trump’s Controversial Claim about Haitian Immigrants
In the midst of the heated debates, Donald Trump made the shocking claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating pets, leading to a live fact-check on-air. The assertion quickly spread across social media, sparking a flurry of memes. Ohio’s Republican governor, Mark DeWine, promptly debunked the claim, but Trump, undeterred, stood by his statement, which further fuelled the divisive campaign atmosphere.

4. Amazon Alexa Bats for Kamala Harris
A bizarre endorsement for Harris came from an unexpected source—Amazon’s Alexa. A viral video showed Alexa listing reasons to support Harris when asked about the upcoming election, contrasting this with a non-committal response on Trump. Amazon quickly released a statement, insisting that Alexa’s response was an error and not indicative of any political bias. Despite Amazon’s assurances, the story went viral, prompting debates on social media about the influence of technology in politics.

5. McDonald's Caught in the Campaign Crossfire
When Trump donned a McDonald’s apron in Pennsylvania, it appeared to be an appeal to working-class voters. However, it was also a jab at Kamala Harris, who had once claimed she worked at a McDonald’s franchise in California four decades ago. Harris used this background to connect with working Americans, contrasting it with Trump’s billionaire status. McDonald's, meanwhile, issued a statement asserting it had no political allegiance, adding, "We’re neither blue nor red. We’re golden."

A New Chapter in Political Theatre And so there it is—the most jaw-dropping, viral, and outlandish moments from the 2024 U.S. election cycle. With its mix of drama, unpredictability, and the utterly surreal, this election season has reminded the world that American politics is now an entirely unique kind of spectacle.
As Americans head to the polls, the only question left is: who will ultimately come out on top in this extraordinary race?