President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the White House Oval Office on July 24, explaining his decision not to seek reelection. It’s the first time a one-term US president has dropped out of a reelection run in decades. "I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term,” said Biden, who had been fighting for his political life after a disastrous debate performance in June. “But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. So, I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass thetorchto a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation.”
Published 6:00 AM EDT, Sun July 28, 2024
In a span of just one month, the presidential election changed dramatically in the United States.
President Joe Biden pulled out of the race on July 21, a few weeks after a disastrous debate performance that had Democratic allies wanting him to step aside and “pass the torch” for the good of the party and the country. He threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now looking to secure the Democratic nomination and become the nation’s first-ever female president.
Eight days before that, former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooting shocked the world and unified many Republicans around their nominee, who lost to Biden four years ago.
With 100 days to go until Election Day, we look back at the unprecedented events that have shaped this race.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during her first campaign rally in Milwaukee on July 23. The former US senator from California, who previously served as the state’s attorney general, was endorsed by Biden to be his successor. She could be the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party ticket. She has already made history as the nation’s first female vice president. “We are not going back,” she vowed in Milwaukee, prompting the crowd to chant, “We’re not going back.”
Biden wears a mask while returning to the White House on July 23. He tested positive for Covid-19 a few days before he dropped out of the race, and he spent the weekend at his beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He was in Delaware when he announced his decision to drop out.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, left, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries leave a news conference after endorsing Harris for president on July 23. “Kamala Harris and her candidacy has excited and energized the House Democratic Caucus, the Democratic Party and the nation,” Jeffries said.
Former President Donald Trump raises his fist during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 18. At the convention, Trump formally accepted his party’s presidential nomination for a third straight election. His keynote speech came five days after he survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. “I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God,” he said.
Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump's running mate, is greeted by his wife, Usha, after his speech at the Republican National Convention on July 17. Vance was announced as Trump's vice presidential pick two days earlier.
People watch the Republican National Convention from inside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 17.
Marine One takes off from the South Lawn of the White House, taking Biden to Las Vegas on July 15. Biden traveled to Las Vegas for campaign stops, speeches and interviews. Up to this point, he had been adamant that he was staying in the presidential race despite a growing list of Democratic lawmakers calling for him to step aside.
Biden addresses the nation from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on July 14. In a speech from the Oval Office later than day, he called on the country to "lower the temperature in our politics" following the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Trump, with blood on his face, raises his fist to the crowd as he is helped by Secret Service agents at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Trump’s right ear was struck by a bullet during an assassination attempt. The shooter was killed by the Secret Service, the agency said. The FBI identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, and authorities told CNN that he was positioned on a building rooftop just outside the rally venue. One rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed, and two others were critically injured.
Blood can be seen on Trump's face as he is covered by Secret Service agents immediately after gunshots rang out in Butler on July 13.
Harris speaks at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans on July 6. She often defended Biden in the weeks following his debate with Trump.
A sign reading “Pass the torch, Joe” is held up at a campaign rally for Biden in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 5.
Journalists run across the Supreme Court plaza, carrying an opinion to a news correspondent, as the court handed down decisions in Washington, DC, on July 1. Thecourt ruledthat Trump may claim immunity from criminal prosecution for some of the actions he took in the waning days of his presidency.
Biden talks on the phone as he heads to Camp David with his wife, Jill, and granddaughters Finnegan and Natalie on June 29. Following his debate with Trump,some Democratic officials said they wanted him to step asidefor the good of the party and the country.
Trumpholds a campaign rallyin Chesapeake, Virginia, on June 28.
Trump and Biden take part in the CNN presidential debate on June 27. It was the first time in history that a sitting US president faced a former president in a debate. Biden’spoor performance set off alarm bells among top Democrats, leaving some to openly question whether he could stay atop the Democratic ticket.
People watch the CNN presidential debate from Union Pub in Washington, DC.
Biden appeared to struggle with his delivery at multiple points during the debate. At 81, he is the oldest president in history, and he would have been 86 at the end of a second term. The debate offered a key test for the president to exhibit vigor and energy — and Democratic sources reacting to the debate described emotions ranging from concern to straight-up panic about Biden’s biggest vulnerability.
Supporters of Trump hold up placards as they wait for him to speak at a rally in Philadelphia on June 22.
Trump shakes hands with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as he meets with GOP lawmakers in Washington, DC, on June 13. Trump led House Republicans through a gripe-filled closed-door meeting,airing grievances about his legal and electoral challenges, attacking his critics in the room, and only briefly addressing policy matterslike abortion and taxes,according to multiple GOP lawmakers in the room. It was Trump’s first time returning to the Capitol campus area since leaving office after the January 6, 2021, riot.
Trump leaves the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York after he was found guilty in his hush money trial on May 30. It was the first time in history that a former US president had been convicted of a felony. A jury found Trump guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records. Prosecutors alleged that the former president engaged in a cover-up scheme to hide reimbursem*nt payments made to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who had paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels to stop her from going public about a past affair with Trump before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the affair.
Biden delivers remarks at a campaign event in Philadelphia on May 29. Biden and Harris rolled out an initiative called Black Voters for Biden-Harris.
Trump attends a campaign event in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on May 1.
Trump attends his hush money trial at the start of jury selection on April 15.
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton join Biden on stage for a campaign fundraising event at New York's Radio City Music Hall on March 28.
Harris embraces Biden after a speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 26. The rare joint appearance highlighted the emphasis that the duo would place on health care, which they believe is a winning issue for Democrats ahead of November's election.
Vinay Reddy, Biden's director of speechwriting, works at his laptop while White House economic advisor Lael Brainard talks on her phone outside a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix where Biden was holding a campaign event on March 19.
Trump speaks during a rally in Dayton, Ohio, on March 16.
Biden looks out at a crowd as he arrives to greet people during a campaign event in Saginaw, Michigan, on March 14.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley walks off stage after announcing that she would be suspending her presidential campaign on March 6. Haley made the announcement after a series of losses on Super Tuesday, and it left Trump as the presumptive GOP nominee.
A volunteer holds a sign that says "vote uncommitted" outside of a polling station in Dearborn, Michigan, on February 27. Biden's victory in the Democratic primary came with a warning from progressives, young voters and Arab American Democrats in the form of an "uncommitted" protest vote: change course on Israel's war in Gaza or risk losing a significant chunk of support in what could be a decisive general election state.
Trump arrives to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on February 24. Trump declared himself a "proud political dissident" at CPAC, telling a conservative gathering that his reelection would be "liberation day" for his supporters and "judgment day" for his political enemies.
Supporters of a write-in campaign for Biden gather for an election night watch party in Manchester, New Hampshire, on January 23. Biden was not among the 21 candidates listed on the ballot after New Hampshire defied the primary calendar set by the national Democratic Party. Despite not being on the ballot, Biden still won the primary.
Haley speaks to supporters at her election night watch party in Concord, New Hampshire, on January 23. She said she would remain in the race after losing the primary there to Trump.
Kara Simard — with her 5-year-old daughter, Violet — casts a primary vote at a polling site in Manchester, New Hampshire, on January 23.
From left, first lady Jill Biden, President Biden, Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff attend a campaign event in Manassas, Virginia, on January 23.
Trump delivers remarks at a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, on January 20.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a town hall in Hampton, New Hampshire, on January 17. DeSantis edged out former Haley for a distant second-place finish in the Iowa Republican Caucuses, but he dropped out of the race ahead of the New Hampshire primary.
Isaac Hammond braves subzero temperatures to caucus in Malcolm, Iowa, on January 15. The caucuses were the coldest ever, with temperatures below zero across much of the state.
DeSantis and Haley take part in a CNN debate in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10.
