Ideological Polarization and Media Strategy in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election: A Comparative Analysis of Economic, Social, and Foreign Policy Agendas
Abstract
<p>Critical Analysis of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election</p> <p>Name of Student</p> <p>Course Name and Number</p> <p>Assignment Due Date</p> <h2>Ideological Context and Electoral Framing of the 2024 Presidential Contest</h2> <p>The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election issues between the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and the Republican candidate Donald Trump have a clear ideological contrast, and each candidate puts forth his or her vision on important national and international issues. This essay discusses the main events, significant policies, main agendas, strategies of the election, and the media’s impact on the election and/or public sentiments.</p> <h2>Economic Pressures and Foreign Policy Crises as Catalysts of Campaign Narratives</h2> <p>The two important factors are the condition of the U.S. economy and an international foreign policy crisis closely related to the election of 2024, which has been a key priority of voters and a significant determinant of each candidate’s platform (Berthelsen & Lawder, 2023). Inflation and employment have stayed relevant within the lens of the campaign as Americans struggle with soaring costs and a lack of suitable jobs. With today’s inflation, Harris has been supporting middle-class tax cuts and providing more funding to small businesses, making her a candidate prepared for economic challenges. These responses show that they have different agendas, and both wish to address the populace, which is regarded as fearing instability, according to the Washington Post (2024).</p> <p>An international crisis in a diplomatic hotspot has also brought foreign policy forward as another campaign issue. Trump has presented a more forceful image focused on security, appealing to nationalists who wish to see their nation dominate on the international front. These divergent approaches to foreign policy demonstrate differing visions of America’s role in the world (The Tax Foundation, 2024).</p> <h2>Policy Divergence in Economic, Healthcare, and Immigration Agendas</h2> <p>Controversial matters, including the economy, healthcare, and immigration, are the main themes in the 2024 presidential campaigns, and the positions held by the candidates are clear. Economic policy and job creation have consistently been in the spotlight. Harris’s position focuses on tax cuts for families with middle incomes and small business support, which corresponds to an inclusive economic framework (The Tax Foundation, 2024). These proposals are politically plausible because, on the one hand, Harris’s approach caters to those who seek a fairer distribution of investment. Trump’s position appeals to those who believe the free market should prevail with less government interference.</p> <p>Healthcare and Social Security remain significant issues. Harris emphasizes the need to increase the availability of accessible care and strengthen the preservation of Social Security benefits for long-term security. Trump defends private health coverage while seeking to cut spending, arguing that such austerity measures will bolster the economy (Berthelsen & Lawder, 2023). These positions influence voter perceptions differently; Harris appeals to voters concerned about healthcare insurance and costs, while Trump attracts voters focused on reducing government spending.</p> <p>Immigration and national security have further polarized the campaigns. Harris supports more expansive legalization measures concerning immigration reform and broader pathways to citizenship, appealing to voters attentive to the humanitarian aspects of policy. In contrast, Trump favors stricter migration policies and restricted immigration, positions preferred by those who consider national security a priority (Ballotpedia, 2024). These contrasting positions illustrate how each candidate advances distinct theories of security versus openness to attract different voter groups.</p> <h2>Strategic Media Engagement and Demographic Targeting in Campaign Execution</h2> <p>Both candidates have taken specific measures to address voter groups using media tools and tailored content. Media use has been a focal point in the approaches developed by each candidate. Harris has employed social media, local newspapers, and public events targeting broad segments of the population. Twitter has been particularly important for her campaign because it is a platform where she posts detailed policy information. At the same time, mainstream channels host town halls, thus catering to other demographics. Trump, however, uses social media platforms more frequently that are favored by conservative audiences and often provides explicit reactions to media sources. This media choice helps each candidate reinforce connections with their respective bases, where Harris broadens her outreach and Trump consolidates his electorate (Fox, 2024).</p> <p>Specific demographic approaches are also clearly defined. Democrats, in particular, have targeted young people, suburban women, and Black and Hispanic populations, with topics ranging from abortion rights to healthcare reform (Calvert, 2024). Her campaign emphasizes these issues to resonate with voters who hold such priorities. Trump, on the other hand, focuses on suburban mothers and blue-collar fathers, highlighting family values, deregulation, tax freedom, and economic independence. This segmentation demonstrates that each candidate addresses distinct voter identities and priorities.</p> <h2>Media Framing and News Coverage as Influential Forces in Electoral Perception</h2> <p>Both candidates have taken specific measures to address voter groups using media tools and tailored content. Media use has been a focal point in the approaches developed by each candidate. Harris has employed social media and local newspapers and attended events targeting broad audiences. Twitter has been particularly important for her campaign because it serves as a platform for detailed policy communication. At the same time, mainstream channels host town halls, catering to additional demographics. Trump uses social media platforms more frequently that are favored by conservative audiences and often provides explicit reactions to media sources (Ballotpedia, 2024). This media strategy reinforces each candidate’s connection with their respective voter bases, where Harris expands outreach and Trump strengthens loyalty.</p> <p>Defined demographic approaches further shape news narratives. Democrats have targeted young voters, suburban women, and minority communities, emphasizing issues such as abortion and healthcare reform (The Tax Foundation, 2024). Trump continues to emphasize economic deregulation, national identity, and traditional values, reinforcing his appeal among conservative constituencies. Through these representations, news coverage amplifies ideological contrasts and shapes voter perception.</p> <h2>Integrated Assessment of Electoral Dynamics and Public Perception</h2> <p>Analyzing voter perception and candidate image in the 2024 U.S. presidential election reveals how news events influence public opinion and how dominant policies, strategic campaign approaches, and media coverage further shape electoral outcomes. Harris and Trump address economic, social, and global challenges through distinct policy proposals and communication strategies, reflecting a pronounced political divide. As discussed in previous sections, media influence, policy emphasis, and voter sentiment collectively contribute to profile shaping in contemporary electoral politics.</p> <h2>Reference</h2> <p>Ballotpedia. (2024). Two thousand twenty-four presidential candidates on the economy. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://ballotpedia.org</p> <p>Berthelsen, C., & Lawder, D. (2023, October 13). Biden campaign’s inflation dilemma: The struggle to reach voters on economic gains. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com</p> <p>Calvert, S. (2024, January 20). Two thousand twenty-four presidential candidates on inflation and the economy. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com</p> <p>Fox, M. (2024, March 3). Candidates’ varied responses to inflation reflect changing voter concerns. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com</p> <p>The Tax Foundation. (2024). Analysis of tax plans: Candidates Biden and Trump 2024. Retrieved from https://taxfoundation.org/candidates-tax-plans</p>