Cover Story: U.S. Presidential Race Upended by Biden’s Withdrawal, Assassination Attempt on Trump

The U.S. presidential race has been radically transformed by President Joe Biden's withdrawal and the immediate rise in support for Donald Trump following an assassination attempt [para. 1]. As the Democratic Party searches for a new nominee, Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who faces challenges due to her low approval ratings and previous campaign shortcomings [para. 2][para. 3].

The failed assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has rejuvenated his campaign. Trump’s defiant response and subsequent portrayal as an "assassination survivor" have garnered sympathy and enthusiasm from voters, even those typically critical of him [para. 4][para. 5][para. 6]. Trump's heroic image brought a unifying effect among his supporters and solidified endorsements from key Republican donors, including Elon Musk, who is financially committing to a pro-Trump super PAC [para. 7][para. 8][para. 9].

The assassination attempt also spurred unity within the Republican Party. Even critics within the party momentarily refrained from attacking Trump [para. 10]. Nikki Haley, a prominent Republican, emphasized party unity in her speech, reflecting a broader sentiment among Republicans to back Trump despite any disagreements [para. 11]. In a departure from his usual rhetoric, Trump, with his wife Melania, called for Americans to rise above political differences, a strategy praised by political analysts [para. 12][para. 13].

If reelected, Trump is expected to revive his "America First" policies, with his senior adviser indicating continuity in his approach. Trump promised to reduce the corporate tax rate and suggested higher tariffs to compensate for revenue loss [para. 14][para. 15][para. 16]. In foreign policy, Trump hinted at substantial tariffs on Chinese goods and proposed negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, raising concerns about the potential isolationist stance of the U.S.[para. 17][para. 18].

Trump’s influence has grown among conservatives, making it difficult for moderate Republicans to challenge his agenda. Key figures align closely with his ideology, indicating a potentially more radical second term [para. 19][para. 20]. Former Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer noted that, despite current trends, the political landscape could still change significantly before the election [para. 21].

The Democratic Party has been destabilized since Biden's underwhelming performance in a televised debate, after which many Democratic lawmakers publicly and privately called for his withdrawal [para. 22][para. 23]. Polls show Trump leading Biden by a significant margin in key swing states, indicating a favorable position for Trump as the election approaches [para. 24].

Other potential Democratic candidates such as governors Josh Shapiro and Gretchen Whitmer have better polling numbers in swing states compared to Biden. Political analysts suggest that the Democrats might benefit from selecting a popular governor to contend with Trump [para. 25]. Given the current disorder, voters are leaning towards the opposition party, and Trump’s unified Republican base gives him a significant advantage [para. 26].