Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Kamala Harris on Tuesday night represents a profound realignment of the American electorate, giving Republicans a blueprint for future victories and Democrats ample reason for soul-searching throughout the presidency.

Trump gained ground in nearly every region and demographic; he stormed into the White House, possibly capturing all seven battleground states and keeping states like Florida and Iowa firmly off the map for his opponent. These changes almost certainly stemmed from multiple moments in a nearly two-year campaign.

However, a few milestones likely stand out as pivotal in a race that appeared to be a toss-up before the polls closed and ended far from a landslide for Trump.

Assassination attempt on Butler

Trump’s campaign stop on July 13 at the Butler Farm Show area returned bloody.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, opened fire in an attempt to assassinate the current president-elect. spectator kill corey comparator50, from Buffalo Township and seriously injured two others.

Crooks was killed by security agents, but not before nicking Trump’s ear with a bullet, revealing the iconic image of the former president’s red-lined face and defiant fist as the American flag flew behind him.

Surrounded by the Secret Service, Trump shouted “fight, fight, fight”; It was a rallying cry that almost immediately garnered supporters and the basis of their campaign materials.

Weeks later, the Secret Service thwarted another assassin after finding a man hiding in bushes with a rifle at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

However, the repercussion of the event and Trump’s triumphant, bandaged return to the Republican National Convention just days later is evident from their role in sales and advertising.

Biden’s debate collapses

President Joe Biden, then the Democratic nominee, looked exhausted in the first presidential debate on June 27. As Trump gleefully points out, some of his answers were incoherent and came in a hoarse, strained tone.

Biden’s team blamed his lackluster performance on coldness, over-preparation, a demanding schedule, or a combination of these factors, but the wheels were set in motion: After 24 days, he dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris.

The vice president had just over 100 days to present his case to voters. Although the party’s support consolidated rapidly and saw some encouraging polls early in his candidacy, this increase faded as election day approached.

Some political analysts blamed the lack of a strong Democratic primary and Harris’ short runway for Harris’ loss.

Harris remains loyal to “The View”

Biden has also proven to be a problem for Harris, who has a 41% approval rating at last count, according to Gallup Polls, and is also trying to distance herself from the presidency by serving as vice president.

In a moment played repeatedly in pro-Trump ads, Harris was asked during an Oct. 8 interview on “The View” what she would do differently than Biden besides appointing a Republican to her Cabinet.

“There’s nothing off the top of my head — and I’ve been a part of most of the decisions that have had an impact, the work that we’ve done,” he said.

This exchange crystallized the central tension of his campaign as he sought to project an image of hope and change while avoiding major ruptures with his boss. Harris’ platform is built largely on restoring or replacing policies Biden has pushed on taxes, healthcare and other key issues.

Harris chooses Walz

The Democrats’ surprise gains reached Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Aug. 6, and the friendly former teacher beat the finalists, Sen. from Arizona. Mark Kelly placed it on the list ahead of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

With Pennsylvania turning red and tipping toward Trump by nearly 3%, it raises the question of whether Shapiro will give Democrats a better chance after his resounding win over Republican Doug Mastriano in the 2022 governor’s race.

However, it is unclear how important the home state advantage is this time. Minnesota, which supported Biden by a margin of nearly 7 percentage points, preferred Harris this time by only 4 percentage points. Additionally, Pennsylvania was likely a moot point for Democrats who failed to win in Wisconsin and Michigan, neither of which came to fruition.

Biden’s garbage gaffes

At a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden on October 28, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made an offensive joke about Puerto Rico, calling it a “floating island of garbage.”

His joke was immediately criticized by Harris’ campaign. Biden’s involvement in the incident created a side controversy in the process.

“The only nonsense going around is his supporters – his – demonizing Latinos is unconscionable and un-American,” Biden said in a speech to Latino activists.

White House stenographers translated the quote with an apostrophe to “supporters,” which directed the comment more towards Hinchcliffe, but that didn’t matter much to the Trump team, who quickly recognized the gaffe.

The moment is reminiscent of the end of the 2016 race, when Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton referred to some of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables.”

Biden’s remarks backfired as Trump outperformed the last two races on Tuesday by winning the lion’s share of Latino voters.