After Presidential-elect Donald Trump’s victory, it is worth reviewing his campaign season. The 2024 presidential election campaign season was long, unique and historic.
Trump first announced his intention to run for president in 2024 on Nov. 16, 2022, effectively campaigning for the presidency since then. Trump’s campaign saw historic endorsements, unique strategies, memorable moments and repeated backlash.
“Together we will be taking on the most corrupt forces and entrenched interests imaginable,” Trump said.
Strategy
Trump utilized numerous campaign strategies to win over crowds of specific demographics and compositions. Trump effectively utilized media appearances to gain coverage.
One noteworthy example was Trump’s interview with Adin Ross who gifted the former president with a custom-wrapped cyber truck. Ross’s audience is largely male and associated with many hip-hop stars and some highly controversial internet personalities like Andrew Tate.
Perhaps Trump’s largest and most notable podcast appearance was his interview with Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast. Rogan is known for long-form interviews that give room to get deep into topics, and he comes with an army of dedicated listeners.
Trump also used podcasts to dive into some policies intricately to appeal to high-information audiences. A prime example is his appearance on the All-in podcast — hosted by a panel of Silicon Valley venture capitalists with various political views.
“We had an opportunity to interview the president of the United States, and I think we talked about a broad spectrum of issues I wish we had more time, but I think he answered them precisely,” Chamath Palihapitiya, one of the All-in podcast hosts, said.
Trump also elected to do some combative traditional media interviews. Examples include his appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention, a CNN town hall and his recent Bloomberg interview.
Of Course, Trump also garnered media attention through his famous Trump rallies, having reportedly done over 900 since his original campaign in 2015.
Memorable Moments
Dramatic moments were a hallmark of this campaign season, many of these moments played into Trump’s hand in positive ways, but some were negative for the campaign.
In July, there was the attempt to assassinate Trump in Pennsylvania, leading to a dramatic scene of the president being rushed off stage with a streak of blood on his face while he pumped his fist in the air shouting “fight.” This image was used repeatedly by the campaign and Trump supporters to demonstrate the candidate’s strength and patriotism.
Working to hurt Trump’s campaign were the constant legal trials, litigation and convictions during the campaign season. These trials and convictions effectively portrayed Trump as a criminal — although moments like Trump’s mugshot debatably worked in his favor.
“We didn’t do a thing wrong, I am a very innocent man,” Trump said.
There was also the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump which saw such a poor performance by Biden that it caused the president to drop out of the race to be replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris.
While the incredible effect of the debate was more so due to a failure on Biden’s end rather than success on Trump’s end, it was still a profound moment for the Trump campaign.
Most Notable Endorsements
Trump also gathered a unique set of endorsements, moving many of these people into positions of influence in his campaign and even promising many important positions in the federal government.
Robert Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, both ex-Democratic presidential candidates, endorsed Trump. Kennedy and Gabbard have been placed on Trump’s transition team and promised different roles in his federal administration.
“Oh, he’s [Kennedy] gonna be a part of it, you know he had a big impact … because he’s very much into women’s health and health, and he’s very much into the environment,” Trump said.
Elon Musk and Rogan endorsed Trump, with Musk going as far as to become a major donor of Trump and founding a PAC to campaign on behalf of the former president. Musk, a highly successful and ultra-wealthy entrepreneur, has reportedly agreed to lead a government efficiency commission in the coming Trump presidency.
“He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you’ll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way. For the record, yes, that’s an endorsement of Trump,” Rogan said, in a post on X.
The 2024 Trump campaign has truly been a historic one. It has seen uniquely radical moments from legal trials to assassination attempts, even support from a Kennedy. The Trump presidency has much to follow.
