By: CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s an election no one could have predicted.

Not so long ago Donald Trump He was wallowing in self-pity at Mar-a-Lago after being twice impeached and voted out of the White House. Even some of his closest allies looked forward to a future without the charismatic but unstable billionaire leading the Republican Party, especially after his failed attempt to overturn the election ended in violence and embarrassment. When Trump announced his comeback bid two years ago, the New York Post buried the article on page 26.

At the same time Kamala Harris He was languishing as the president’s low-profile aide Joe Biden. Although he was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, he was struggling with both his profile and his portfolio, disappointing his supporters and pleasing his critics. No one was talking about Harris running for the top job; They wondered whether he would replace him as Biden’s running mate for a second term.

But on Tuesday, even though it seemed impossible before, Americans will choose Either Trump or Harris will serve as the next president. The final chapter of one of the most surprising, unpredictable and important epics in political history. For once, the word “unprecedented” was not overused.

“If someone had told you in advance what was going to happen in this election and you tried to sell it as a book, no one would believe it,” said Neil Newhouse, a Republican pollster with more than four decades of experience. “It galvanized the country and polarized the country. “And all we can hope for is that we come out of this better in the end.”

History has been made and will be written. The United States has never elected a president convicted of a crime. Trump did not survive One However two assassination attempts. Biden dropping out of school in the middle of an election year and Harris first female president. Basic principles about democracy In the world’s most powerful country, he will be tested as never since the Civil War.

And this is not even to mention the background of simultaneous conflicts. Europe And Middle East, hacking a blizzard increasingly normalized by foreign governments misinformation and the intimate participation of the richest man in the world, Elon Musk.

For now, the only thing the country can agree on is that no one knows how the story will end.

Trump recovers from embarrassment over Republican nomination

Republicans could be done with Trump later January 6, 2021.

This was the day he fired up his supporters with false claims of voter fraud, led them to march on the U.S. Capitol as Congress ceremoniously certified Biden’s election victory, and then stood by the insurrectionist. He threatened lawmakers and his own vice president.

But there aren’t enough Republicans Joining with Democrats to convict Trump in his impeachment trial run for office again.

Trump began planning a comeback, even though some leaders in his party hoped he would remain in the shadows. Ron DeSantisgovernor of Florida or nikki haleyFormer South Carolina governor who served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations.

next year Trump announced He will run against Biden, He faced four criminal charges. Two of the indictments were linked to attempts to overturn his election defeat. Another was his refusal to return classified documents to the federal government after leaving office. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges, and none of these cases have been resolved.

But a fourth indictment in New York led to Trump becoming the first president in US history to be criminally convicted. A jury found him guilty of falsifying business records on May 30 hush money payments to a porn star who claimed to be having an affair.

None of this has slowed Trump, who virtually ignored his rivals during the primary as he moved toward the Republican presidential nomination. A mugshot One of his arrests was adopted by his followers as a symbol of resisting a corrupt system.

Trump’s candidacy was effective Anger over inflation And Frustration with immigrants We are crossing the southern border. He also beat Biden too old for work Even though he is only four years younger than the president.

But Democrats also think it would be better for Biden, 81, to consider retirement rather than a second term. So when Biden struggled in the presidential debate On June 27 – losing his train of thought, appearing confused, stammering answers – he faced mounting pressure within his party to withdraw from the race.

While Biden was facing a political crisis, Trump went to an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Young man ran away from the policeHe climbed to the top of a nearby building and fired several shots from a semi-automatic rifle.

Trump grabbed his ear and fell onto the stage. As Secret Service agents gathered around him, he stood up with a streak of blood on his face, pumped his fist in the air and shouted “fight, fight, fight!” he shouted. An American flag was waving above us.

this one an instantly iconic moment. Trump’s path to the White House seemed clearer than ever, perhaps even inevitable.

Harris gets an unexpected opportunity for redemption

The vice president was getting ready to do a puzzle with his nephews when Biden called on the morning of July 21. had decided end his re-election bid And support Harris instead.

He spent the rest of the day making dozens of phone calls to set up the support line, and he had plenty of time. secure the nomination in two days.

It was a surprising reversal of fate. Harris was on fire While running for president four years ago, he withdrew before the first Democratic primary contest. Biden revived his political career choosing him as his running mateand became the first black woman and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president.

But Harris’ struggles didn’t end there. He clumsily questions about immigrationHe oversaw widespread change in his office and faded into the background rather than using his historic status as a platform.