From Trump shooting to Biden withdrawing: 8 days that turned American politics upside down

Washington, United States – If a week is a long time in politics, then the last eight days of the US presidential campaign have proven to be a drama of epic proportions.

Joe Biden’s shock decision on Sunday to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race capped a tense week that began with the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and has left Americans in disarray.

This is how the week went:

– Saturday: Attempted assassination of Trump –

Republican candidate Donald Trump survives an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old on a nearby rooftop opens fire.

Images of the bloodied candidate shaking his fist defiantly as Secret Service agents chase him off the stage have become iconic, galvanizing support from his supporters.

– Monday: Republican National Convention Begins –

Trump appears before a roaring crowd at the Republican National Convention, his ear — injured in the assassination attempt — covered in a white bandage. He names Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate.

– Wednesday: Pressure on Biden increases –

Support for Biden continues to wane after his disastrous June 27 debate with Trump, as concerns grow among Democrats over the 81-year-old’s age and his ability to defeat Trump at the ballot box — and then serve another four years.

A leading Democratic lawmaker, Adam Schiff, joins a rapidly growing list of party officials urging the president to step aside, praising him but saying “our nation is at a crossroads.”

Biden has also been infected with Covid and has had to stop his campaign life and retreat to his home in Delaware to recover.

In an interview released the same day, he said he might reconsider his election campaign if a “medical condition” arose.

– Thursday: Pelosi, Obama, Trump –

There are new signs of waning support for Democrats: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been committed to solving the growing crisis, reportedly told House Democrats that the president may soon be convinced to drop out of the race.

And Barack Obama, the former president who was once Biden’s boss, reportedly told allies that the president should “seriously consider the viability of his candidacy.”

In Milwaukee, Trump accepts his nomination at the Republican National Convention, promising a rapturous crowd that they can expect an “incredible victory” in November.

– Friday: ‘The stakes are high’ –

Now that the list of lawmakers urging Biden to withdraw has reached 25, he is again insisting that he will stay in the race, saying: “The stakes are high and the choice is clear. Together, we will win.”

– Saturday: ‘Bullet for Democracy’ –

At his first rally since the attempted assassination, Trump tells a cheering crowd in the swing state of Michigan: “I took a bullet for democracy.”

He mocks the Democratic leadership crisis, saying, “They have no idea who their candidate is.”

– Sunday: Biden’s big decision –

Sunday begins with key Senator Joe Manchin, an independent Democratic-leaning senator, joining the chorus calling for Biden to step aside.

Two polls bring bad news for the president. One shows a sharp decline in support in the uncertain state of Michigan, the other shows Trump with the highest approval ratings in years.

At 1:46 p.m. Washington time (5:46 p.m. GMT), Biden posts a stunning statement on social media announcing that he is ending his candidacy because he believes it is “in the best interests of my party and the country.”

He is supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new candidate, just as leading Democrats such as Bill and Hillary Clinton are supporting him.

Trump has stated on social media that Biden is “not fit to run” and “certainly not fit to serve.” Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, are urging Biden to “immediately” “resign” as president.

Democratic Party chairman announces a “transparent and orderly” process will take place to choose someone to take Biden’s place.

Agence France Press//Photo: Joe Biden’s X-account