Trump and Biden neck and neck as election day approaches
How has the support for candidates in the u.s. presidential race changed over the past few months? "The Economist" publishes the latest poll results and analyzes the shifts that have occurred in recent days between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
8:11 AM EDT, July 17, 2024
In November, Americans will go to the polls to decide who will become their president. The situation currently mirrors the last election in 2020—the same two candidates—Joe Biden and Donald Trump—are running.
Among Democrats, it's hard to talk about real competition for the current president; however, after his performance in the debate at the end of June, some began questioning his chances of winning and his readiness to govern. Among Republicans, there were also no rivals for Trump.
"This won't be a popularity contest"
As "The Economist" bitterly summarizes, the upcoming elections won't be as much a popularity contest between Biden and Trump as a referendum on which of them Americans consider the lesser evil. The weekly published an election forecast.
According to it, as of July 15, Trump gained 46% support and Biden 43%. The gap between them changes almost daily; as recently as July 11, Biden's support reached 44% (with Trump at 46%), and on July 7, Trump had 45% and Biden 44%.
The last equal support level of 44% between the candidates was visible around mid-April; since then, the difference in favor of Donald Trump has deepened. Previously, in late January and early February, they were also three percentage points apart—Trump had 45%, and Biden had 42%.
The last time Biden enjoyed more excellent support was in September of last year—he had 44%, and Trump had one percentage point less.
Donald Trump shot in the ear
On Saturday, former U.S. President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Two people died, including the assailant, and two others were seriously injured.
Trump, with a bloody face and ear, stood up on his own, waving his fist at the crowd. Shortly after Trump fell, a series of shots from the authorities were heard. Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, reported that the former president was unharmed.
During Monday's session of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, Trump appeared publicly for the first time since the Saturday attempt on his life. He was seated in the audience with his ear bandaged.
