Election Day is finally here, and if you thought 2020 was wild, 2024 just raised the bar. Picture this: a presidential race with two assassination attempts, a surprise presidential dropout, and a last-minute candidate who once seemed more likely to have a sitcom cameo than a shot at the Oval Office. But here we are, America.
Republican Donald Trump, famous for his twice-impeached tenure and a criminal conviction, faces Democrat Kamala Harris, the historic VP candidate who just catapulted into the lead spot when Joe Biden exited stage left. They’ve been charging through swing states, shaking hands, dodging bullets (literally, in Trump’s case), and dishing out rhetoric sharper than any reality TV roast.
Over in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, six voters in a town that has the voting power of a kindergarten classroom set the tone at midnight by splitting their votes between Trump and Harris. Yep, we’re that divided.
Polls across the East Coast opened at 7 a.m., and the race to the White House officially began. Of course, Trump—never one to play it safe—has hinted he might declare victory as soon as he finds a friendly camera, ballots be darned. If it feels like déjà vu, you’re not wrong; we’ve been here before. His claims of fraud are still echoing from four years ago. The reality, though, is that we might be biting our nails for days as battleground states inch closer to calling a winner. For political nerds, it’s popcorn time. For the rest of America, it’s anxiety with a side of existential dread.
In this corner, we have Kamala Harris, aiming to make history as the first female, Black, and South Asian president. In the other, Trump, a.k.a. the comeback king if he pulls this off. It’s like watching Rocky, only if Rocky owned a hotel empire and used Twitter as his personal megaphone. The stakes? Beyond the Oval Office, control of Congress is also up for grabs, with both parties in a high-stakes battle royale for Senate and House seats.
The final sprint saw the candidates tearing through key states. Trump was in Grand Rapids, Michigan, his favorite place for a campaign finale, while Harris made double stops in Pennsylvania to remind voters why she’s the frontrunner. Each side’s path to victory is as complex as ever, with Trump’s base fired up over fears of immigrants (he’s blaming them for just about everything short of bad traffic) and Harris riding high on promises of unity and reproductive rights.
The numbers paint a fascinating picture: Harris is outpacing Trump among women by 12 points, while Trump is leading with men by 7. If you thought the gender gap was wide before, welcome to a whole new era.
The campaign has been nothing short of theatrical. Trump is leaning into his role as the candidate for “law and order” while lambasting Harris’ stance on immigration and her supposedly “radical” policies. Meanwhile, Harris is holding steady, aiming to unite a coalition of Democrats, independents, and moderate Republicans. And let’s not forget, Trump’s brought in the big guns: Elon Musk, doubling as his hype man and mega-donor, has become a force on the trail. On Harris’ side? None other than Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Who knew the election would be scored by pop anthems?
Perhaps nothing epitomizes the race better than Harris’ meme-fueled campaign versus Trump’s raucous rallies. Biden’s unexpected exit may have set the stage, but it’s Harris and Trump who are putting on a show for the ages.
No matter who wins, this will be a historic election that feels more like a screenplay than real life. When the dust settles, America will either have a first female president or a twice-impeached comeback champ. Either way, buckle up; the sequel is bound to be even crazier.
