Key moments that solidified Donald Trump's historic win in 2024 US elections

President-elect Donald Trump made history on 24 August 2023, when he surrendered at a Georgia jail on charges of racketeering and conspiracy. After his surrender, he was arrested and jail authorities took a mug shot of Trump. He became the first-ever US President to be officially booked, fingerprinted, and have his mugshot taken like a common criminal. Trump faced official arrest on 13 charges within the southern state of Georgia. These charges were linked to his supposed endeavours to manipulate the outcome of the 2020 election.

Democratic hopes took a hit after President Joe Biden's challenging performance in the first presidential debate against Donald Trump on June 27. The 81-year-old struggled with his words and at times seemed forgetful, prompting concerns about his mental readiness for re-election. While Biden downplayed the event, calling it a "bad night," post-debate polls indicated that Trump had gained momentum, giving the republican candidate the edge that he needed for the 2024 US election.

Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on July 13 turned chaotic when a sudden popping sound caused panic and resulted in an ear injury for the former president. Moments after the incident, Trump took cover behind the podium but soon rose, silently mouthing “Fight, fight, fight!” to the crowd and raising his fist, a gesture that quickly became iconic. The Republican candidate soon made headlines after the incident and gained the Elon Musk endorsement that later became one of the key reasons for his win.

During the first presidential debate on September 11, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris clashed over major issues. Trump defended his record on the economy and national security, while Harris sharply criticized his handling of the pandemic and approach to social justice. Their stark differences were on full display, with Harris stressing the need for change and accountability. The intense exchanges highlighted the high stakes of the upcoming election, drawing significant attention from both voters and the media. The political pundits believed that Trump's bad performance during the debate would have a significant negative effect on the US election results.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, made headlines with his appearance at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, ahead of the 2024 election. Wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap and an "Occupy Mars" shirt, Musk openly aligned himself with the former president, referring to himself as “Dark MAGA.” Addressing the crowd, Musk urged support for Trump’s re-election bid, emphasizing common priorities such as military strength, border security, and education reform.

In an unusual campaign stop, Donald Trump stepped behind the fry station at a Pennsylvania McDonald's, wearing an apron over his suit and tie. This lighthearted event appeared to respond to Kamala Harris’s earlier comments about her college job at the fast-food chain. Surrounded by reporters and supporters, Trump received a brief tutorial on fry-making, eagerly dunking fries into the oil, salting them, and boxing them up for serving.

Donald Trump’s recent rally at Madison Square Garden sparked controversy, with some critics drawing comparisons to a Nazi rally. High-profile figures, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Hillary Clinton, and several MSNBC commentators, likened the event to the infamous 1939 pro-America Nazi rally held in the same venue. They highlighted the historical significance of Madison Square Garden, referencing the 1939 rally that supported Adolf Hitler, subtly shading the former president. The rally also made headlines for a speaker’s controversial comment about Puerto Rico. During the event, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”

President-elect Donald Trump made a memorable entrance at his Wisconsin rally by arriving in a garbage truck covered in his campaign stickers. The stunt appeared to be a direct response to President Joe Biden’s recent remark calling Trump supporters “garbage.” Grinning from the passenger seat, Trump joked, “How do you like my garbage truck? This one’s dedicated to Kamala and Joe Biden.” Later Trump rolled into a Wisconsin rally dressed as a sanitation worker, reflecting his ability to turn controversial moments to his advantage.

During his rally in Wisconsin, Trump repeatedly struggled with the microphone, leading to a series of suggestive gestures on stage. The clip quickly went viral, sparking online debates over whether he was simply having fun or had lost control. Regardless, these moments created the buzz that fueled Trump’s publicity, giving his campaign a boost in the final stretch of the election.

The song "YMCA" became a staple at Trump’s rallies, serving as an energetic anthem for his campaign and taking on special significance among his supporters. Trump first adopted the song after recovering from COVID-19, adding a renewed sense of vigour to his events. “YMCA” initially resonated with his base during anti-lockdown protests in Michigan. It later became a regular feature at his MAGA rallies during the 2020 election, creating a lively atmosphere that defined his events.