Biden's withdrawal and Harris' rise
As the 2024 general election draws closer, American politics has experienced a sudden change.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the race due to long-term health problems.
This decision not only shocked the entire country, but also quickly changed the landscape of the campaign.
Vice President Kamala Harris, as Biden's right-hand man, took over the banner of the Democratic Party and became the new presidential candidate with the unanimous recommendation of the party.
Harris's rise has injected new vitality into the Democratic Party.
With her unique personal charm, rich political experience and firm stance on social justice issues, she quickly won the support of a large number of voters.
This change also aroused vigilance and counterattack from the Republican camp, especially Trump, who regarded Harris as a major obstacle on his campaign road, making the contest between the two sides more intense.
Trump in the shadow of assassination: challenges and opportunities coexist
Trump's campaign has not been smooth since the beginning of this year.
He was the target of several assassination attempts, which not only threatened his life but also made him the focus of public attention.
Surprisingly, rather than undermining Trump’s approval rating, these assassination attempts have helped boost his popularity to a certain extent.
Some voters regard Trump as the "chosen one", believing that he can withstand the test and continue to lead the United States forward.
Trump took full advantage of this opportunity, constantly reinforcing his image as a "victim" through social media and public speeches, accusing the Democrats and their supporters of trying to prevent him from winning the election through illegal means.
Although this strategy is controversial, it is undeniable that it has indeed consolidated Trump's base to a certain extent and won him more sympathy votes.
Shooting at Harris' office: Second shock in half a month
Just when it seemed that Trump’s campaign strategy was working, Harris’ campaign faced unprecedented challenges.
Harris' campaign office in Tempe, Arizona was suddenly attacked by gunfire.
Fortunately, the attack did not cause any casualties, but it undoubtedly brought a huge psychological shock and security risks to Harris' team.
What is even more worrying is that this is the second shooting incident in the office within half a month, the last one occurring on September 16.
These two shooting incidents quickly attracted widespread attention from all walks of life.
People have condemned the violence and called for stronger election security to protect the lives and property of candidates and voters.
There are also voices questioning the motives and planners behind these incidents, fearing that they may be related to Trump supporters or part of some political conspiracy.
Musk's skepticism and the divide in public opinion
Shortly after the shooting in Harris' office, SpaceX founder Elon Musk posted a striking tweet on Twitter.
He questioned why only Trump frequently faced assassination attempts while other candidates such as Harris were relatively safe.
Although Musk quickly deleted the tweet, it has already sparked widespread discussion and controversy.
Musk's questions touched the public's sensitive nerves about the fairness and security of the election.
Some people viewed his remarks as an insinuation and attack on the Democratic Party, while others supported his view that what happened to Trump was indeed unusual and worthy of further investigation.
This Twitter storm not only intensified the confrontation between the two parties, but also exposed the deep divisions in American society on the issue of election security.
Arizona's political landscape and potential risks
As an important state in the southwestern United States, Arizona has always been one of the key battlegrounds in presidential elections.
The state's political landscape has changed significantly in recent years, with Trump supporters making up a sizable portion of the state.
When Harris' campaign office was shot up in the state, it was hard not to connect it to Trump supporters.
Trump's deep base and influence in the state enable him to mobilize a large amount of resources and manpower to support his campaign.
This advantage may also be exploited by some extremists as an excuse and motivation for them to commit violent acts.
Especially on the eve of the election, as the election results become increasingly clear, some dissatisfied Trump supporters may take more radical actions to vent their emotions and dissatisfaction.
Trump's rhetoric and the potential for election violence
Trump's remarks during the election have always been one of the most watched topics. He is well-known for his unique "Twitter governance" style and outspoken speaking style.
At a critical moment in the campaign, some of Trump's remarks have sparked concerns about election violence.
He has repeatedly made harsh remarks against the Democratic Party and its candidates in public and on social media, and has even hinted or encouraged his supporters to take more radical actions to support his campaign.
These remarks not only heightened the tense political atmosphere, but also laid the groundwork for electoral violence.
Such concerns have become even more intense, especially after he announced that he would not run in the 2028 election if he lost this election.
There are concerns that Trump's rhetoric could further spur his supporters to take radical actions to ensure his victory.
The future of election security:
Faced with increasingly severe election security challenges, American society needs to take more proactive and effective measures to ensure the fairness and security of elections.
The government and relevant agencies should strengthen supervision and protection of election activities to ensure that the lives and property of candidates and voters are not threatened.
All sectors of society should work together to create a rational and peaceful election atmosphere. The media should report the election process and results objectively and impartially, and avoid exaggerating and hyping up violent incidents.
In the long run, American society should strengthen the reform and improvement of the electoral system.
The 2024 U.S. presidential election is not only a contest for political power but also a major test of the American democratic system and social stability.
In this election, we witnessed the cruelty and ruthlessness of political violence, and we also saw the American people's desire and pursuit of justice and peace.
Regardless of the election outcome, we should learn lessons from it, reflect on the root causes of election security issues, and seek more effective solutions.
Only in this way can we ensure that future elections are conducted more fairly, securely and orderly and lay a solid foundation for the continued development of the American democratic system.