Former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden’s campaigns are more intense than ever before in the 2024 Presidential election. As the two current frontrunners of the GOP and the Democratic Party respectively, they will most likely be the candidates chosen to represent these two parties. These two candidates, who had once faced off in the 2020 presidential election, both have many similarities and differences from their 2020 campaign. 

Let’s first examine our current president, who is running for his second and last term in office, and how he is framing his campaign this coming election. Biden first announced his campaign in April of 2023, with a variety of bold statements about the issues he would be tackling if he were re–elected for president. His main point, first and foremost, is freedom: freedom to have abortions, freedom to enter this country and have an equal opportunity in the pursuit of happiness, freedom to choose who you love and what you can read. He firmly believes that he is and will continue to protect our freedom at any cost. He paints the opposing GOP as extremists who will challenge the core tenets of freedom on which the United States stands upon.  

Other main points that he plans on tackling in his next term include improving social services and healthcare by reducing the cost of raising children and protecting the Affordable Care Act. He also plans to work on improving relationships with foreign allies, reducing gun violence, and increasing taxes for the rich. The main elements of his campaign have not drastically changed, with him continuing to state that “this is a battle of America’s soul.” 

In comparison to this, Trump has been planning his re-election for quite some time now. He had first officially announced his candidacy in November of 2022, right after the mid-term elections. The main theme behind his campaign is the idea of retribution, giving the entire campaign a “sinister” note.  

In terms of his main goals, he is attempting to expand presidential and executive power over all parts of the federal government. He is also attempting to draft an executive order that allows him to use the military to put down civil demonstrations with him. He also stated while campaigning in Iowa that he would deploy the military in democratic cities and states.  

Along with that, he is trying to crack down on immigration, stating that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.” He has not yet taken an official stance on abortion and is trying to take the middle ground on that topic.  

In terms of foreign policy, he is pushing the “America First” agenda, in which the US will begin to limit their spending on international allies and NATO. He is not making any statement on what work he will do for climate change, as he has stated repeatedly that he does not believe it to be man-made. In comparison to his 2020 campaign, he has become more moderate in some areas and more extreme in others.  

He is no longer “the most pro-life president ever,” but he is continuing to attempt to control the borders and deny climate change. 

In conclusion, both campaigns evolved to fit the average voter’s wants and needs in 2024. These voters have more divided opinions than ever regarding education, LGBTQ rights, and foreign policies. Though neither of them has made any major moves so far, this election will most certainly be one of the most memorable of all time, just like the 2020 elections.