Doom and Gloom: Trump and Biden’s Dire Warnings for 2024

The 2024 presidential race has heated up to a ferocious level, with the candidates stoking fear among voters by evoking a “doom-like” vibe in the public dialogue. The warnings from both sides threaten various dire consequences, with President Donald Trump insisting that Joe Biden will destroy the country if elected and Biden warning that Trump’s policies will lead to economic ruin. These messages of doom seem to be resonating with many Americans, particularly those whose years of diminished economic opportunity have caused them to feel vulnerable as the nation struggles with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This dystopian vision of the future has become a paramount concern among the general public, creating a unique focus for the campaign rhetoric this election year. Both candidates are campaigning hard to capitalize on the public’s fear. Trump has characterized Biden’s policies as “job-killing” and a “radical socialist agenda”, warning that if he is elected, our country will be plunged into economic ruin. Meanwhile, Biden has accused Trump of overseeing a “shameful recovery” that has favored the wealthy, and he has asked voters to consider what four more years of the current president would mean for the future of the nation. The fearmongering has become so ubiquitous that it has spawned a new term in politics: “Doom Zoom.” This refers to the Zoom calls that both candidates use to reach out to their supporters, all of whom receive a dark warning about what their opponents would do if elected. While fear-based messaging may be effective in drawing attention to the campaigns, it also comes with risks. It can alienate independent voters and fuel polarization, as each camp demonizes the other. In addition, it can also limit the campaign agenda to focus solely on what the other candidate will do and distract from the candidate’s own agenda or offering solutions to tackle larger problems like poverty, climate change, and lack of healthcare. Nevertheless, the success of each candidate will likely depend on their ability to convince the public that the other candidate poses a bigger threat. In this incredibly intense political moment, the rhetoric of doom and gloom will likely remain an integral part of the 2024 presidential campaigns.