Every presidential election seems the most important so far. This one, however, may live up to the label. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer visions of America’s future that couldn’t be more different. Their campaigns have diverged widely in tone, style and substance. Perhaps the only thing they have in common, in fact, is the degree to which they have been documented online.
But while memes and actions have in many ways defined the 2024 US presidential election, there is a whole world of moments that have occurred outside of the viral spotlight. At WIRED, we took a step back to look at the past few months in moments, exploring places, scenes and people that don’t always appear on broadcasts. Below, we offer a different picture of an America that is often at odds and rarely out of touch.
Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump are seen through a photo cutout as they arrive at a campaign rally at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, on Nov. 1, 2024.Photograph: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/Getty Images