A look back at the 2020 US Presidential election

As the United States approaches the 2024 election, the political landscape has shifted considerably since the 2020 contest.

With Joe Biden stepping aside, Kamala Harris has stepped into the race to challenge Donald Trump in what has become a closely contested campaign. 

Trump, looking to reclaim the White House after a term in office that began in 2016, faces Harris in a race that remains extremely tight in key battleground states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, making every vote crucial, and the US Election betting odds extremely close to call as both sides vie for support.

While many of the issues in today’s election—such as economic instability and social justice—are different, echoes of the 2020 election still resonate in American politics. 

In this article, we look back at the last US Presidential election, reflecting on the key events that led to Biden replacing Trump in the Whitehouse. 

The early days of the 2020 campaign

The 2020 election took place against a backdrop of growing discontent with Donald Trump’s presidency. 

Though he had enjoyed strong support among conservatives, many voters felt dissatisfied with his handling of key issues, and he was impeached in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. 

Trump’s statements on immigration and race turned many moderates against him, while his unpredictable governing style led to increasing dissatisfaction among voters.

In contrast, Biden, who secured the Democratic nomination after a tough primary, presented himself as a steady, unifying force. His message resonated with voters who were tired of the Trump administration’s unpredictability and sought more stability, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic upended everyday life.

COVID-19 and its impact

The coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, profoundly influenced the 2020 election. The U.S. economy plummeted due to enforced lockdowns, leading to millions of job losses and overwhelmed hospitals. 

Public health became the main issue, with widespread criticism directed at the government’s initial response to the pandemic. 

Candidates debated their approaches to handling the virus, including vaccine distribution, which became a crucial factor shaping voter sentiments and priorities as the election approached.

Biden’s promise to implement a comprehensive national response to the pandemic helped him gain significant support among voters concerned about Trump’s handling of the crisis.

Different approaches to rallies 

In the lead-up to election day, rallies were significantly affected by the pandemic. Trump held large, crowded events, often drawing both supporters and criticism for ignoring health guidelines. Meanwhile, Biden opted for smaller, socially distanced gatherings, prioritising public health, which ultimately resonated with voters concerned about safety during the election season.

The Election process and key swing states

The election itself was unlike any other. There was a record number of mail-in voting, which delayed the counting process. This gave rise to Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, despite a lack of evidence. His legal challenges were unsuccessful, but they cast a shadow over the election process and shook up the politics odds during a turbulent period where people were unsure who had won.

Key swing states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia played a decisive role in the election outcome. Biden’s narrow victories in these battlegrounds secured his path to the presidency, though Trump’s refusal to concede set the stage for a tumultuous post-election period. 

Biden’s Presidency and the aftermath 

When the results were announced, the January 6 Capitol riot erupted after Trump falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen, inciting a mob of supporters to storm the Capitol during Congress’s certification of Biden’s victory. 

This chaotic event resulted in violence, leading to increased security measures, widespread condemnation, and Trump’s second impeachment for incitement of insurrection. The incident underscored the profound political divides and unrest that marked his presidency

Biden eventually took office in January 2021 aged 78, inheriting a nation that was deeply divided and grappling with the ongoing pandemic. 

His administration prioritised mass vaccination efforts, economic recovery, and tackling issues like climate change and racial inequality. 

Although Biden made strides in areas such as vaccine distribution and economic stimulus, he also encountered significant challenges, including rising inflation and the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. 

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Now, with Biden stepping aside and Harris preparing to step up, the stakes are high once again. Trump is aiming for a comeback, and the political landscape shaped by the 2020 election continues to influence the race.