7 of the Most Unforgettable Political Moments Since the Previous Presidential Debate

It’s been 75 days since the last presidential debate, and if you’ve been out of touch—whether you’ve been on Mars or a desert island—there’s been quite a lot of action since President Joe Biden’s June debate against former President Donald Trump.

Professor Todd Belt, director of the Political Management Program at George Washington University, describes the past summer as “the most dramatic in U.S. presidential history” since the 1876 contested election between Democrat Samuel Tilden and Republican Rutherford B. Hayes.

For those catching up, here are seven key events since the last debate:

1. Supreme Court Ruling on Trump’s Immunity: On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump has immunity for official acts performed during his presidency, but not for unofficial actions. This 6-3 decision, based on ideological lines, delayed Trump’s election subversion trial until after the November election.
2. Assassination Attempt on Trump: On July 13, Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman grazed his ear and killed another man, Corey Comperatore. The incident prompted Congressional hearings, a task force investigation, and the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
3. Trump Picks JD Vance as Vice Presidential Candidate: On July 15, during the Republican National Convention, Trump announced Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his vice-presidential pick. Vance, a former Marine and Yale Law School graduate, gained national attention with his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”
4. Biden Withdraws as Democratic Nominee: Facing mounting pressure due to a poor debate performance, President Biden, at 81, decided to withdraw from the race. He announced his decision on July 21, initially attributing his debate troubles to a cold.
5. Kamala Harris Becomes the Democratic Nominee: After Biden’s withdrawal, Vice President Kamala Harris was endorsed by Biden and became the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket. Her campaign quickly garnered support, raising $81 million in the first 24 hours, with endorsements from influential figures like the Obamas.
6. Harris Chooses Tim Walz as Running Mate: In early August, Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential candidate. Walz, a former congressman and National Guard member, is noted for his relatable background and progressive policies, including tuition-free universities and universal school lunches.
7. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Backs Trump: In August, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a lifelong Democrat turned independent presidential candidate, announced he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Trump. He will remain on the ballot in some states but has urged his supporters to vote for Trump to avoid being a spoiler.

With two weeks left until summer officially ends, the political landscape remains highly dynamic.

Casey Burgat, director of the Legislative Affairs Program at George Washington University, notes, “It’s been an incredibly eventful period, with each development reshaping the political landscape in real time. If this cycle has taught us anything, it’s that unpredictability is the only certainty.”