
The 2024 general presidential election is less than four calendar months from occurring. The former 45th President Donald Trump, who had been leading against the incumbent president Joe Biden in recent polls, now appears to be locked in a dead-heat against the prospective Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. While Trump and Republicans have appeared increasingly enthusiastic as the calendar month of July progresses, the tone of the presidential race has changed following the incumbent president’s decision to drop out of the race and endorse Harris as his replacement. Republicans held their national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in late July and appeared unified behind the former president in the days that immediately followed the near-assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. While the party remains steadfastly behind Trump, Harris’s elevation in the presidential contest has made many worried that key moderate voters may now be motivated to vote for Democrats after being disillusioned by Biden.
Trump and Republicans also appear to be panicking, or at the very least- second guessing the former president’s Vice Presidential pick. Trump selected J.D. Vance, a hard-right conservative Senator from Ohio, in a bid to bolster turnout amongst reliably conservative voters. Many analysts questioned Vance’s appeal to moderate and independent voters which often decide close election cycles. Ultimately, the Trump campaign is now arguably in a weaker position than they were over a week ago due to Biden’s unprecedented decision to exit the race.
Trump may take some slight solace in the fact that tech entrepreneurs are beginning to warm up to him as the election approaches. Elon Musk is one notable tech giant that has offered his support to Trump. Musk formally endorsed him and has offered financial support. A young tech entrepreneur, the 27-year-old Nicholas Longo, also openly endorsed Trump, and noted that just four years ago it would have been “inconceivable” for him to express open support in the tech world.