Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States after beating Democrat Kamala Harris. Donald Trump’s campaign was anything but dull. Photos: Chip Somodevilla and Anadolu. Source: Getty Images The Republican’s campaign trail was not devoid of several incidents that grabbed headlines worldwide. TUKO.co.ke looks back at some of the noteworthy incidents in Trump’s second successful run for the presidency:
1. Trump in garbage truck
Trump dressed like a sanitation worker and appeared in the cab of a garbage truck to convince voters in the battleground state of Wisconsin that Democrats believe those who vote for him are “garbage”. The theatrics were a response to a verbal gaffe made by Joe Biden, in which he appeared to compare former Trump supporters to garbage. Biden said the intent was to condemn a comedian over his remarks at Trump’s rally where he called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.”
2. Trump’s assassination attempt
On July 13, 2024, Trump survived an assassination attempt while speaking at an open-air campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The gunman was killed at the scene, and Trump’s security ramped up. In a second security incident, a suspect, later identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was spotted hiding in nearby shrubbery while aiming a rifle at a member of Trump’s security detail. He fled the scene but was later arrested.
3.Trump bashes the press
Trump recently took a swipe at the press, accusing them of reporting fake news on his campaign. Trump said he wouldn’t mind if someone tried to shoot through the media to assassinate him while he was complaining that the bulletproof glass positioned around him was “ridiculous.”
4. Trump arm wrestles Hulk Hogan
WWE legend Hulk Hogan endorsed Trump for president earlier this year at the Republican National Convention. Hogan appeared in several rallies as Trump hinged on pro-wrestling to ramp up support for his White House bid. The WWE Hall of Famer made entrances to The Undertaker’s music. Trump also reportedly appeared on The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast.
5. Elon Musk’s gift to voters
Trump supporter, billionaire Elon Musk, was taken to court for offering KSh 129 million to voters in swing states. It was believed that the money was given to random registered voters who signed a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution. The US Justice Department warned they could be breaking election laws, which forbid paying people to register to vote.
A court ruled in Musk’s favour. What did Donald Trump say after win? With his massive lead in counted votes, the president-elect immediately addressed the nation to thank Americans. He was particularly grateful to Republicans for coming out in huge numbers to vote for him. While giving his thanksgiving speech, he praised his wife and kids for standing by him as he battled to be reelected after losing the 2020 Election.
by William Osoro