Donald Trump is running an unconventional general election campaign filled with oddities such as hawking Bibles, boasting about his golf game, and accusing judges. His busy week involved attending a wake for a fallen police officer on Long Island, using the occasion to push a message of law and order while painting America under President Biden as a crime-ridden dystopia. Biden, on the other hand, wrapped up his post-State of the Union tour in North Carolina, seeking to turn the state blue with support from ex-Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The Democrats are focusing on unity and policy attacks against Trump, highlighting the threat a second Trump term would pose to the nation.
Biden is working within a traditional campaign framework to address cracks in his coalition, while Trump’s campaign strategy appears to be a blend of his legal defense against multiple cases and attention-seeking photo ops. With an upcoming trial starting on April 15 for falsifying business records related to a hush money payment, Trump’s strategy may be aimed at attracting favorable media coverage to sway public opinion ahead of the trial. Trump’s takeover of the Republican National Committee also seems more focused on funding his legal defense rather than building a political operation, with potential staffers being questioned about their beliefs in the 2020 election being stolen.
Despite Trump’s distractions, Biden has been actively campaigning, showcasing his policy wins and expanding his voter base among Black voters, women voters, and younger voters. Biden’s campaign has also adopted a mocking tone towards Trump, aiming to inflict early damage on his rival while he is distracted by legal issues. The growing intensity and aggressive tone of Biden’s strategy suggest a desire to capitalise on Trump’s distractions to gain an advantage in the election. The joint event with ex-Presidents Clinton and Obama was a prelude to rallying Democratic voters behind Biden in the fall.
The issue of Israel and its conflict with Hamas has ignited anger among protesters outside a recent Biden event, potentially affecting voter turnout among progressive voters and Arab Americans, particularly in Michigan. Trump, meanwhile, continues to deal with political problems, including pending trials and a flurry of social media attacks on judges involved in his cases. Despite his recent financial gains from the stock market, Trump’s inability to sell his stock for six months may lead to a potential crash in its value, impacting both himself and his supporters who purchased it. As the election approaches, Biden and Trump are employing contrasting campaign strategies in a bid to secure victory in what is anticipated to be a tight race in key swing states.
