NUNZIUM

The 60th US presidential election in 2024 is poised to be a riveting face-off between incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Biden, at 81, has a record of significant accomplishments such as the creation of 14 million jobs, robust GDP growth, and four major legislative victories on coronavirus relief, infrastructure, domestic production of computer chips, and climate action. However, his approval ratings have been marred by the fallout from the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and his support of Israel during the Gaza conflict, causing discontent among younger voters.

Meanwhile, Trump, who is currently facing 91 criminal charges across four jurisdictions, is expected to punctuate his campaign with court appearances. His previous term, marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, culminated in a defeat by Biden in the 2020 election. Despite the challenges, Trump is preparing for what he calls "the final battle", even as he faces competition from Republican contenders such as Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.

The political climate is fraught with conspiracy theories, polarization, gun violence, and rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. Concerns are also mounting about the influence of social media platforms, particularly platform X, formerly Twitter, now owned by Elon Musk. The platform, known for extremist content, is making this election the first "AI election" where deepfakes could potentially exacerbate the spread of disinformation.

In a significant development, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump cannot run for president in the state in 2024 due to a constitutional insurrection clause. Although the ruling only applies to Colorado, Trump's campaign plans to appeal to the US Supreme Court.

The political landscape is fluid, with Biden recently suggesting that he is not the only Democrat capable of defeating Trump. This statement has sparked speculation about potential shifts within the Democratic party, with figures like Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and Gretchen Whitmer emerging as potential contenders.

The 2024 presidential election is set against a backdrop of intense polarization and high stakes. The outcome will shape the future of the United States, making every vote more crucial than ever. As democracy faces these testing times, the battle for the presidency is a gripping spectacle, underscoring the resilience of the American democratic system.