U.S. election year shaped by pandemic and Trump's defiance

U.S. election year shaped by pandemic and Trump's defiance

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The U.S. presidential election was defined at first by a paralyzing coronavirus pandemic that upended traditional campaigning and then by President Donald Trump's frenzied but failing efforts to reverse his loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

The pandemic – and Trump's handling of it – proved to be a big reason why Trump lost. A majority of Americans believed he didn't take the outbreak seriously enough. He flouted safety protocols and insisted the country return to normal as the economy ground to a halt. More than 286,000 lives have been lost to COVID-19 in the United States, by far the worst hit country.

. Miami, United States. Reuters/Brendan McDermid
Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden receives a nudge from his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, to remind him about proper social distancing as he speaks to reporters at Miami International Airport prior to participating in a town hall event in Miami, Florida.

Biden took a different approach. He urged the public to listen to experts and take precautions, including masks and social distancing. He essentially canceled in-person events for months, reaching voters virtually instead. In the end, he was rewarded: Biden received more than 80 million votes – the most of any presidential candidate in U.S. history.

Biden's victory was even more unlikely considering how he began the year. After disappointing finishes in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, his presidential bid looked cooked. He argued things would turn around as soon as African Americans began voting in large numbers - and he was right.

. Des Moines, United States. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks with Senator Bernie Sanders after the seventh Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Powered by the Black vote, Biden blew the field away in South Carolina, causing several rivals to drop out immediately and setting the stage for a stunning run that sewed up the nomination in a matter of weeks. His final challenger, liberal Senator Bernie Sanders, bowed out in April, allowing Biden to turn his focus squarely to Trump with nearly seven months to go.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington.

Meanwhile, the president was struggling to respond to the burgeoning COVID-19 outbreak. After weeks of downplaying the threat, Trump delivered a rare address from the Oval Office that failed to reassure a jittery public. The virus would go on to reshape American life, closing schools, businesses and restaurants, trapping millions at home and becoming the dominant issue of the 2020 election.

With the death toll from the pandemic nearing 50,000 by late April, Trump at one of his briefings spontaneously suggested that injecting disinfectants such as bleach into the human body could eliminate the virus. Health experts quickly warned the public that doing so would be toxic, and Trump later claimed he was being sarcastic.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Hannah McKay
A counter-demonstrator and supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump clashes with a protester during an anti-Trump rally in the aftermath of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington.

Trump also became increasingly at odds with a racial justice movement that swept U.S. cities in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man, under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer. In June, U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops, clad in riot gear, used pepper spray to clear the park outside the White House of protesters so that Trump could walk to a historic church and pose for a photo holding a Bible. But opinion polls showed Americans largely supported peaceful protests for racial justice.

. Wilmington, United States. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque
Biden and U.S. Senator and Democratic candidate for Vice President Kamala Harris celebrate outside the Chase Center after Biden accepted the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination during the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention, in Wilmington, Delaware.

With that as a backdrop, Biden's decision to make Senator Kamala Harris, a Black woman, his running mate was particularly resonant. In Congress, Harris had worked on police reform efforts since Floyd's death. Her selection energized the Democratic base, and her personal fundraising network helped Biden rake in an unprecedented flood of donations that eliminated Trump's cash advantage.

. Nashville, United States. Reuters/Mike Segar
Trump and Biden are reflected in the plexiglass protecting a TV camera operator from coronavirus as they participate in their second 2020 presidential campaign debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Needing something to turn his fortunes around, Trump came into his first debate with Biden in September looking for a fight. But his belligerence worked against him. He repeatedly interrupted Biden and the moderator to the point where the entire event veered out of control. Polls and focus groups conducted afterward showed swing voters were repulsed by his behavior.

. Oklahoma, United States. Reuters/Nick Oxford
Voters wait in a long line to cast their ballots at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Still, the election outcome was far from certain. Trump remained popular with many voters, who turned out in droves for his in-person rallies, sporting 'Make America Great Again' caps and t-shirts. Safety measures against the spread of the virus were largely ignored, and - just as some Americans were casting early ballots - Trump and several aides tested positive for COVID-19.

Even with coronavirus cases spiking anew, Americans voted in record numbers, many mailing in ballots, while others waited in long lines.

. Detroit, United States. Reuters/Rebecca Cook
GOP poll challengers react after being asked to leave due to room capacity at the TCF Center after Election Day in Detroit, Michigan.

While the race was too close to call on Election Day, Biden steadily pulled ahead of Trump in several critical battleground states and ended up with a resounding win. Biden amassed 306 electoral votes - exceeding the necessary 270 - compared to 232 for Trump in the state-by-state Electoral College that determines the presidency, while also winning the national popular vote by more than 7 million votes. Harris made history as the first woman to be elected vice president.

Trump, however, would not concede and for weeks since the election has falsely claimed that widespread fraud cost him a second White House term. His legal team - including former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani - filed lawsuits in several states contesting the election results. None of the efforts have been successful.

. Wilmington, United States. Reuters/Jim Bourg
Biden and his wife Jill, and Harris and her husband Doug, react to the confetti at their election rally, after the news media announced that Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election over President Donald Trump, in Wilmington, Delaware.

When the Electoral College meets on Dec. 14 to cast its votes, Biden's victory will be official. While Trump seems intent on refusing to concede, the expectation remains that he will leave office on Jan. 20, when Biden will be sworn in as the nation's 46th president.

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Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg endorses Biden at Chicken Scratch in Dallas, Texas.
. Dallas, United States. Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz

Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg endorses Biden at Chicken Scratch in Dallas, Texas.

Trump listens to applause after signing an executive order on police reform during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Trump listens to applause after signing an executive order on police reform during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington.

Supporters of Trump gather near the newly painted Black Lives Matter mural to protest outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City.
. New York City, United States. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Supporters of Trump gather near the newly painted Black Lives Matter mural to protest outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City.

Reporters sit on chairs in circles marked for coronavirus disease pandemic social distancing as Biden speaks about his plans for tackling climate change during a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware.
. Wilmington, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Reporters sit on chairs in circles marked for coronavirus disease pandemic social distancing as Biden speaks about his plans for tackling climate change during a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware.

Biden speaks to CJ Brown as he makes a brief stop at "Three Thirteen" clothing store to buy a few items for his grandchildren while visiting Detroit, Michigan.
. Detroit, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Biden speaks to CJ Brown as he makes a brief stop at "Three Thirteen" clothing store to buy a few items for his grandchildren while visiting Detroit, Michigan.

Harris leaves after campaigning in a restaurant in Miami, in Florida.
. Miami, United States. Reuters/Marco Bello

Harris leaves after campaigning in a restaurant in Miami, in Florida.

A supporter calms his baby at the back of the hall as he waits to rally with Trump at a campaign event in Henderson, Nevada.
. Henderson, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

A supporter calms his baby at the back of the hall as he waits to rally with Trump at a campaign event in Henderson, Nevada.

Trump supporters try to catch a hat during a campaign event in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
. Fayetteville, United States. Reuters/Tom Brenner

Trump supporters try to catch a hat during a campaign event in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Harris and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence participate in their 2020 vice presidential campaign debate held on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
. Salt Lake City, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Harris and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence participate in their 2020 vice presidential campaign debate held on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Trump makes a fist during a campaign rally at Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa.
. Des Moines, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Trump makes a fist during a campaign rally at Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dana Clark and her 18-month-old son Mason wait in line at City Hall as early voting begins for the upcoming presidential election in New Orleans, Louisiana.
. New Orleans, United States. Reuters/Kathleen Flynn

Dana Clark and her 18-month-old son Mason wait in line at City Hall as early voting begins for the upcoming presidential election in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Supporters of Trump attend a campaign rally at Ocala International Airport in Ocala, Florida.
. Ocala, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Supporters of Trump attend a campaign rally at Ocala International Airport in Ocala, Florida.

Trump counts money before donating it as he attends a service at the International Church of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.
. Las Vegas, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Trump counts money before donating it as he attends a service at the International Church of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A 14-foot cutout of U.S. President Donald Trump stands on the front lawn of the self-proclaimed 'Trump House' in Youngstown, Pennsylvania.
. Youngstown, United States. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

A 14-foot cutout of U.S. President Donald Trump stands on the front lawn of the self-proclaimed 'Trump House' in Youngstown, Pennsylvania.

Trump is seen between pumpkins during a campaign rally at Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport in Butler, Pennsylvania.
. Butler, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Trump is seen between pumpkins during a campaign rally at Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Biden gestures with former U.S. President Barack Obama at a Get Out the Vote campaign stop in Flint, Michigan.
. Flint, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Biden gestures with former U.S. President Barack Obama at a Get Out the Vote campaign stop in Flint, Michigan.

Biden makes his way through the crowd outside of his childhood home on Election Day in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
. Scranton, United States. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

Biden makes his way through the crowd outside of his childhood home on Election Day in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Local residents Cynthia Daugherty and Eugene Binder vote in the 2020 U.S. presidential election in Marfa, Texas.
. Marfa, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Local residents Cynthia Daugherty and Eugene Binder vote in the 2020 U.S. presidential election in Marfa, Texas.

Trump departs after speaking about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Trump departs after speaking about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington.

People react as they listen to Biden and Harris' speeches after media announced they won the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Atlanta, Georgia.
. Atlanta, United States. Reuters/Brandon Bell

People react as they listen to Biden and Harris' speeches after media announced they won the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani addresses the media with the Trump legal team after news media named Biden the winner in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, at Four Seasons Landscaping company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani addresses the media with the Trump legal team after news media named Biden the winner in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, at Four Seasons Landscaping company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Biden points a finger at his election rally, after news media announced that Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Wilmington, Delaware.
. Wilmington, United States. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

Biden points a finger at his election rally, after news media announced that Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Trump plays golf after the 2020 U.S. presidential election was called for Biden at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
. Sterling, United States. Reuters/Joshua Roberts

Trump plays golf after the 2020 U.S. presidential election was called for Biden at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

A cab driver raises his fist as people celebrate media announcing that Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election on Union Square in the Manhattan borough of New York City.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

A cab driver raises his fist as people celebrate media announcing that Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election on Union Square in the Manhattan borough of New York City.

Giuliani wipes away sweat as he speaks about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results during a news conference in Washington.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Giuliani wipes away sweat as he speaks about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results during a news conference in Washington.