The 2024 U.S. presidential election is widely considered one of the most historically significant elections, with unprecedented levels of intense competition. On Sunday, September 15, the attempted assassination of Trump slightly shifted the public’s focus, giving both party candidates a moment to catch their breath before launching into a new round of fierce battles with clever strategies.
Trump condemned antisemitism and reiterated his support for Israel in two events on September 19. He stated, “Today we must fight for Israel, and we will surely win this battle.”
At the “Combatting Antisemitism in America” event held at the Hyatt Regency, Trump delivered a speech, followed by another speech at the first day of the Israeli American Council (IAC) summit.
Before Trump’s first speech, Jewish super donor and Las Vegas Sands casino owner Miriam Adelson gave a speech, urging attendees to vote for Trump and stating that they “should already be determined.”
Trump also took the time to acknowledge several Republican lawmakers in attendance, including Rick Scott (Florida), Ted Cruz (Texas), Joni Ernst (Iowa), and Mike Lawler (New York), who introduced a bill in the House to combat antisemitism. This bill, passed with a vote of 320 to 91 in May, is currently awaiting approval in the Senate. It would compile an executive order Trump signed in December 2019 into law, applying Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to Jewish people.
In his speech, Trump also discussed his support for Israel during his presidency, which included declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
On October 7, 2023, the terrorist organization Hamas launched an attack on Israel, sparking the Gaza War, resulting in significant casualties and a refugee crisis, challenging U.S.-Israel relations.
Trump referred to Hamas’ attack as “atrocious” and a “warning” during his speech.
The Gaza War also triggered a series of anti-Israel protests on U.S. college campuses. In some instances, protesters occupied campus buildings for weeks, calling for universities to boycott, divest, and sanction Israel. In July, three deans at Columbia University were fired for alleged anti-Semitic remarks.
On Holocaust Remembrance Day on May 7, President Biden condemned the rise of antisemitism in the U.S. and sent a letter to university faculty to help identify and eradicate antisemitism.
During a video address to the Republican Jewish Coalition in early September, Trump stated that universities failing to address antisemitism would lose federal funding and accreditation if he were elected.
Democrats traditionally secure a majority of Jewish votes. In the 2020 election, Trump only received 30% of the Jewish vote. However, a Siena College poll conducted from July 28 to August 1 in New York revealed that 50% of Jewish voters were leaning towards Trump over Harris.
The Harris team wasted no time in uniting voters and boosting voter turnout for the 2024 election. Vice President Harris and media mogul Oprah Winfrey held a joint discussion in the key battleground state of Michigan on September 19, hosting a virtual rally event titled “Unite for America.”
The event was recorded in a studio in Farmington Hills and live-streamed online. They shared personal stories related to Harris’ advocacy for abortion rights and ending gun violence.
Harris also addressed questions about immigration and rising costs of living.
The 90-minute event showcased over 140 grassroots organizations supporting Harris, appearing virtually to appeal to undecided voters in battleground states and across the country.
Winfrey told the audience, “Tonight, what we’re going to do is put aside the immediate difficulties and think about what we can do in our homes, communities, and districts, spreading the message and voting.”
Harris’s campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon viewed the 2024 election as a “statistically low-margin race.”
National and swing state polls indicate that Harris and Trump remain neck and neck, with both candidates holding slight leads in key states.
Dillon stated, “Michigan is a tie, all key states are ties, so we need everyone to work together to forge one or more paths to the 270 electoral votes.”
By the end of the live broadcast, over 300,000 viewers watched the event at home. Studio guests included actors Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, and Meryl Streep.
These celebrities also campaigned for Harris, urging undecided voters to support the Vice President.
Harris stated, “I know I have the ability to do something about it, so I feel a great responsibility and the power of the people.”
Harris also addressed questions regarding immigration and rising costs of living. When asked about resolving the U.S. illegal immigration crisis, Harris again criticized Trump for urging Republican Congress members to vote against a bipartisan border bill, reiterating her commitment to advancing that legislation once elected.
Regarding her position on gun issues, Harris advocated for gun control and confirmed her support for the Second Amendment.
Winfrey expressed surprise when Harris revealed she owns guns during a debate with Trump on ABC. Harris jokingly responded, “If someone breaks into my house, they’ll get shot; I maybe shouldn’t say that, my staff will explain later.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also attended the discussion, emphasizing the state’s key role in the Electoral College.
She said, “I think we have to work hard. In 2016, we were just 11,000 votes short, which means only two votes per district, highlighting the importance of conversations with family, neighbors, or parishioners.”
For decades, Michigan has been part of the Northern “Blue Wall” states, leaning Democratic in presidential elections like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Trump broke the “Blue Wall” in 2016, winning Michigan by a slim margin of less than half a percent, but Biden won the state in 2020 by over a 2% difference.
Since the Republican National Convention in July, Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have held multiple campaign events in Michigan, highlighting the state’s importance in winning the presidential election.