Looking back on the biggest political news stories of 2024
From legal cases to attempted assassinations, 2024 proved to be a roller coaster in U.S. politics.
From legal cases to attempted assassinations, 2024 proved to be a roller coaster in U.S. politics. Former President Donald Trump became president-elect, setting up a historic return to the White House in January. He faced many ups and downs throughout the year.
For the current president, Joe Biden, this year was also full of ups and downs, as he started the year as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president but ultimately ended his political career in an unanticipated fashion.
Here’s a look at the news stories that shaped American politics this year, month by month.
E. Jean Carroll, after she won her defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump, in New York on Jan. 27.Sarah Blesener / The New York Times via Redux fileOn Jan. 26, a jury in New York found Trump liable for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, ordering him to pay her a total of $83.3 million in damages. The award includes $11 million for damage to her reputation, $7.3 million for emotional harm and other damages, and $65 million for punitive damages.
During closing arguments, Trump stormed out of the courtroom before the jury reached its verdict. He was already found liable in September 2023 for defaming Carroll while he was president for mocking her claim that he had sexually abused her. Trump also testified at the trial for just under five minutes, during which he clashed with the judge and called Carroll’s accusations false.
Rating: 5