An incumbent president seeking reelection in November faces off against an ever-increasing group of protesters, who care little for his bid for another term in office.
This transcript was produced using speech recognition software and reviewed by human transcribers; however, errors may remain. If making an attribution from this transcript please review the episode audio before doing so and contact transcripts@nytimes.com with any inquiries.
Since mid-January, as former President Trump has garnered primary wins in Iowa and New Hampshire on the Republican side, something similar has been happening on the Democratic side.
Four extra years.
My head may explode from this.
Please – He is currently focused on building support from Black voters —
South Carolina will host the inaugural official Democratic primary contest this weekend.
Point is, I have had the honor and blessing of worshipping here before as well.
One of his inaugural 2024 campaign events took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
Violence and hatred were undermining God’s message of peace.
Not just gun powder, but by poison that has long plagued and plagued this nation.
Mother Emanuel Church was selected because nine Black churchgoers who attended services there in 2015 were murdered by a white supremacist.
Since that day, this nation has witnessed this congregation and community perform one of the greatest feats of strength I’ve ever witnessed.
Truth in America is under assault, endangering freedom, democracy and ultimately our country itself. Without truth there can be no illumination; without light there can be no escape from darkness.
If you truly care for those lost here, honor their memory by calling for an end to violence [INAUDIBLE].
All is fine – everything will work out for the best in time.
As soon as protesters had been removed from the event, most of the audience began showing support for Biden by chanting and cheering him from across the room.
Four new years are here! Four more years, four extra years.
Over 25,000 Palestinians have been murdered; now is the time for peace!
No matter where Vice Presidents Kamala Harris or Joe Biden go – their presence can always be felt.
I have some very pertinent issues to raise and am seeking everyone’s input; these must all be discussed together.
“Ceasefire!” can often be heard over them as they speak. Meanwhile, an incumbent president seeking reelection this November faces off against an ever-increasing group of protesters whose focus lies elsewhere – Astead Herndon from “The New York Times.” I am hosting “The Run Up”.
Hello can you hear me? – Yes Hello. How are you? I am doing well – thank you so much for taking some time out today to visit us.
Early this week, I met two protesters from Mother Emanuel event and discussed their involvement.
Marcus McDonald is the lead organizer of Charleston Black Lives Matter from Columbia, South Carolina.
Tamara here! I am an organizer with Free Palestine Charleston and collaborate closely with Charleston Black Lives Matter.
My entire life I have been educated in this topic.
Marcus attended Mother Emanuel Church and was offended that Vice President Biden would attend and speak at their church.
I found it offensive that white politicians used the death of Mother Emanuel as a weapon against Black people and what we are fighting for; specifically by coming here with blood on his hands to make comments like: ‘OK, Biden needs to come here as proof, so let’s organize.
“We were mindful that we were entering a Black space, and wanted to respect that without breaking any taboos or offending anyone,” they noted.
Tamara took his place, speaking on his behalf as he could not attend church that day.
But these were Marcus’ words and the purpose of Mother Emanuel was initially meant to support and stand with him as an integral component.
Videos from her protest allow viewers to witness her interrupt the President.
My words were clear; if he cared about those lost here in Charleston, then they should be honored by demanding an end to violence in Palestine and calling for a ceasefire fire there. We would not permit him to come into our space and campaign or profit off an event which occurred here while funding another massacre elsewhere.
As a non-Black individual, you mentioned your efforts at being respectful in terms of space. Since it turned out you ended up speaking instead, was there any fear that your words may be taken differently as someone who isn’t Black?
As I only voiced my disagreement with Biden, I hoped respectability politics wouldn’t become an issue; especially as we’re speaking out about such a serious humanitarian crisis.
While we were planning, we enlisted members of the Black community. When I inquired as to the best course of action to ensure the success of this event, they gave me confidence that even though I’m not Black myself but speaking in spaces dominated by them that my struggle and theirs are interrelated and gave me assurance I needed in speaking up in these spaces.
As soon as I witnessed this action taking place, I witnessed its immediate and ongoing political debate and backlash: people making claims that this action was disrespectful while questioning if this represented a larger community. From where I stood it was an intense scene. What were people’s initial responses after witnessing this protest take place and has it changed over time?
That question revealed American politics’ egocentrism; my position that day wasn’t about respectability politics or Republican-Democrat politics; rather, it focused on human suffering that transcends any form of American politics here.
People were talking more about my stance when calling for a ceasefire than any specific words I said when seeking one; yet no one asked why she took such an active step to interrupt Biden in a Black space and demand such an agreement be reached?
One reason I wanted to meet with you all was because your actions may not directly relate to electoral politics; nevertheless, they have entered the election landscape. Joe Biden was interrupted at several campaign events involving Mother Emanuel; there has also been considerable discussion among young people as to their perceptions of Biden after Gaza Crisis unfolded.
So my question here is this: when taking protest actions, are you considering any electoral politics repercussions or is this simply about spreading your message?
Again, my goal is simply to highlight the egocentrism associated with using Democratic/Republican rhetoric to frame any political discussion or topic. Again, this issue doesn’t fall neatly within either party, nor can it be used as an electoral strategy; this humanitarian disaster has claimed over 25,000 lives already.
Therefore, our position must reflect this view and should not be seen as an attempt at using this issue for electoral gain in any form.
As I understand our positions are quite divergent here, my intention in talking with you is to try and gain an understanding of the relationship between protest actions and electoral politics – though you may choose to reject my premise if that’s your preference.
Recently I reviewed your list of demands and was struck by something unusual – specifically calls for a ceasefire, which were certainly central to what you said at church; yet this list includes other demands than that such as ending Zionism’s normalization through media narratives, institutional support and government backing as well as ending Zionist violence against Palestinians across all aspects of their lives including media narratives, institutional support and government backing.
What I’m asking here is this: if Joe Biden were to call for a ceasefire – which has yet to happen – would that suffice as enough of an outcome for all parties involved?
Calling for a ceasefire should be our minimum goal; unfortunately President Bush isn’t even doing that. Additionally, asking him not to fund genocide, allow aid into countries experiencing bombed-out housing conditions, or cease using illegal phosphorus gas are also within our mandate.
All these actions represent basic human decency that we should demonstrate as minimum requirements, yet they’re not done even by our country, the United States. Instead, dehumanizing Palestinians has become an everyday reality despite what many may perceive to be our best efforts at protecting and supporting them.
One thing I have found notable over recent years is how activism has responded to electoral politics over this same timeframe. Black Lives Matter activism at its initial stages had much closer links between its actions and progressive wings of the Democratic Party than I now observe.
Something struck me as fascinating about your responses here on this issue, however. With Joe Biden aside, what have been your experiences organizing and activism-wise since 2008 and have they changed in relation to electoral politics as a whole?
Since 2020, it is telling how far right and centrist the Democratic Party has become. When I worked as an organizer with BLM, many Democrats and liberal people were quite supportive of its work prior to beginning our abolition work, mutual aid initiatives and institutional accountability campaigns.
On many issues, centrist members of the Democratic Party have abandoned us; not just on immigration matters but also with Atlanta’s Stop Cop City protest and all of the gentrification issues taking place here. I believe this to be a testament to how far to the right the party has moved and has forsaken humanitarian politics altogether.
So I understand what you are implying is that Democrats have abandoned you and your friends – not because your relationship to electoral politics has changed; simply that the Democratic candidates no longer reflect where your friends and you reside.
Just to clarify, their institution has millions of dollars available to it for this work and initiating it all. Unfortunately for both of us – as both institutions fail to deliver basic necessities to both here and Palestine, once you cause offense people will retaliate; most care deeply about what this institution stands for so they won’t back off easily.
Can I ask specifically about the progressive wing of Democrats? One thing that has caught my eye on the ceasefire issue was how Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have come closer than most to Biden on it while still differing significantly from where you all stand on this matter. I would love to get your take on progressives’ approach on this matter.
Institutions play a large part in this. Bernie Sanders and AOC both have money as well as blood on their hands; therefore many grassroots organizers have begun moving away from certain people who leave us for various causes then claim they care about XYZ when in reality it doesn’t. So Tamara can feel free to share what she knows with us now.
Just wanted to comment and say it is fascinating how this dialogue has turned into one where candidates from other states, who may or may not have any bearing here, have become subjects for discussion. Any reference or debate around those individuals seems futile and irrelevant here.
Polarization in the US can be seen as an indirect result of our system and lobbyist/corporation funding mechanisms; no matter whether they support one party over another (Democrats or Republicans), their support doesn’t make a difference.
Hello there. Could I please explain my motivations?
One thing that struck me while speaking with you as someone who engages with grassroots conservatives was how electoral politics was seen as a means to take back power from establishment Republicans. You spoke of Trump supporters who felt disillusioned with foreign policy establishment in the Republican Party and in particular its positions on foreign affairs; specifically they discussed electoral politics as one way power can return back to ordinary people; it is one reason they engaged with electoral politics as part of why they do it.
One reason I am asking this question is because it seems interesting that not all have made the same calculation, so am curious as to why this may be happening? In any event, that is all that I am asking.
Yes, your point about power can be problematic as our goal here is not power itself but more broadly speaking equity, accessibility and liberation as core concerns.
Your intentions may be admirable; however, some individuals who support more traditional political structures might think your protest could cause electoral backlash that benefits Republicans more than you anticipate.
“Sorry to make you uncomfortable, but can you give me the response?” We have addressed it previously in some form or another.
Yes, I would absolutely adore hearing directly.
We don’t find this question pertinent as it indicates an egocentric understanding that focuses on Democrats vs Republicans when discussing humanitarian issues. Furthermore, weaponizing what we did by supporting or opposing certain political parties takes away from what our church event was designed to accomplish: bring awareness of genocide in Gaza and promote peace between sides.
I understand your argument; however, I remain perplexed as to why disruption of a campaign event should have no relevance in terms of electoral impact. Although you make sense in that it would not allow President Trump to speak there at such events; such disruption may still have some electoral ramifications and I find it hard to grasp how taking any sort of action at such events would have no electoral repercussions.
This was not about his campaign event as president in the future; rather it was an acknowledgment of who he is today as regards to his position on Palestinian issues – something unrelated to elections but simply part of being present President now.
As my final inquiry, may I inquire further into your political stance – are you planning on voting this November, and is that permissible?
No doubt about it – our voices will continue to be heard by everyone.
However, we won’t simply have to choose between two evils; there are still other candidates and options we could support during primaries elections. Again — but again.
On Saturday, South Carolina is holding its Democratic primary. Will you vote for Joe Biden or someone else, or are you undecided and choosing not to participate at all?
As I am the spokesperson of Free Palestine Charleston, each member’s political decisions are ultimately theirs to make; I cannot speak on their behalf nor try to categorize us all – that would only serve politicians’ agenda of creating groups out of everyone.
As is typical in protest environments, protesters were unconcerned with how their actions might influence an election – perhaps unsurprisingly since they weren’t responsible for conducting it themselves. Yet as an observer and reporter for political matters myself, I found myself asking “who’s thinking about electoral politics here?!!” I will discuss that topic further after the break.
After Israel’s military response to the October 7th terror attack and subsequent military response in Gaza, there has been mounting pressure for President Biden to endorse a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Polling conducted by The New York Times and Siena College revealed that 44 percent of American voters believe Israel should cease military actions; 48 percent feel as though not enough is being done to protect civilian casualties there while 57 percent disapprove of Biden’s handling of this conflict.
Although most Democrats in Washington DC, including progressives, have been relatively subdued in their criticism of Joe Biden, it has nonetheless become an issue for voters and served as an early litmus test to see how Biden is faring with his base before starting another year where they need him for victory.
How are we today? Was I the late one?
So by Arab Standard Time standards, it would appear you are early.
Thus leading me to meet Abdullah Hammoud, Mayor of Dearborn Michigan.
Dearborn is my hometown, where my parents immigrated from Hungary. Here, my beautiful family are being raised, and it truly is an outstanding city in my eyes. I take great pride in making decisions that benefit both myself and my community first and foremost – thereby taking pride in making wiser choices as part of being part of Dearborn’s vibrant community.
Recently, the Biden campaign hosted a meeting of Michigan Muslims and Arab Americans; Mayor Hammoud was invited but chose to decline participation.
Biden takes this defeat hard. Michigan was an essential battleground state that President Trump won in 2016, only for Biden to turn it back over in 2020. Dearborn in Michigan is particularly important as one of its largest cities with one of the highest Muslim populations per capita in America.
Let’s start off by discussing your week. On Friday, he posted several Tweets detailing an experience with the Biden campaign that visited Michigan to meet with several Arab and Muslim leaders, but declined due to being not relevant (quote). I am curious as to your decision process for making such decisions and what led up to that particular situation?
As soon as I was asked to attend a campaign meeting with President Biden’s campaign staff, it felt like an insult. After 115 days of this conflict and finally sending a delegation to Dearborn to address what’s going on overseas, campaign staff showed their presence instead – showing us that this conflict is only seen as a political issue and electoral problem, diminishing our pain into electoral calculations.
We require an impactful dialogue about how we can adjust to what’s happening, and for us to do that efficiently it must involve senior policymakers rather than campaign staffers.
Oh, this is fascinating. What you are highlighting here is that those sent to meet with you were from Biden’s political operation or campaign staff rather than people responsible for day-to-day Administration policy regarding this conflict.
Imagine 200 Palestinians being killed every day and Biden responds by saying, great!, let’s connect with Arab-American and Muslim-American communities by sending his campaign manager out there to discuss how this impacts elections – sending a clear signal that this issue was about political calculations rather than empathy.
I believe it is dehumanizing for us only to discuss Palestinian lives or concerns regarding Arab-Americans or Muslim-Americans when tied to an election – as this reveals only political calculations rather than genuine humanitarian concerns. What’s happening overseas — genocide seen daily by our cameras — must be tackled through humane means, so let us do just that.
One reason we wanted to speak with you was because earlier this week I met some of the protesters who interrupted President Biden at South Carolina’s Mother Emanuel Church with hopes of forcing him into calling a ceasefire, something which has yet to occur.
One theme I noticed among activists, as well as in you, was their desire to sidestep electoral politics and focus on policy demands instead of any potential electoral politics issues that might arise here. Unfortunately for me as a political reporter, some political questions do arise here.
As I reviewed your 2020 campaign, I noticed that you initially supported Senator Bernie Sanders but eventually supported President Biden – telling Muslim-Americans and Dearborn residents alike to vote for him so as to “instill confidence that our community will be included at decision making tables”. Could we look back four years ago and discuss this decision and its aftermath further?
President Biden campaigned on his promise of decency, touting himself as someone with experience to lead America out of wars across the Middle East and unite people across differences. Unfortunately, what we found instead is far from decency – an individual who promised humanity is failing miserably in practice.
As a community comprised of Lebanese immigrants, Yemeni immigrants, Syrian immigrants, Iraqi immigrants and Palestinian immigrants – every nation within this region is currently being bombarded directly or indirectly by US bombs or funded through US bombs. We thought we had completed our chapter of Middle Eastern warfare yet clearly that is not happening.
Do you agree that back in 2020 when Joe Biden still represented mainstream Democratic foreign policy establishment, but you were willing to support him politically, all involved would be included at the decision making table as stated at that time? What gave you confidence that everyone would be considered before any decisions were made?
Promises had been made over the phone to Arab-American and Muslim-American communities.
Ok, so now you have communicated directly with them.
Yes. Secretary Blinken served as President Biden’s representative, meeting with many of his key policy staff members.
Discussed policy issues impacting us locally – specifically how they would recognize Middle Eastern and North African people on the 2030 census; all policies they had supported prior to 2020 elections that they pledged to implement once in power for their first term;
As discussed here, each individual made their own choices regarding elections; but when thinking back to 2020 and what the residents of Dearborn had to say about choosing between Biden and Trump for president, did you hear similar sentiment from them? Furthermore, were other members willing to make concessions as you suggested (such as acting on faith that we would be welcomed later on?
Dearborn residents overwhelmingly favored former President Biden over then-President Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
But what have you heard? Was that an acceptable decision or unsettling?
2016 wasn’t exactly easy for Arab- and Muslim-American voters given that selecting between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton proved more complex due to her extensive history in making decisions across Middle East and North Africa region.
Interesting observation – 2016 decision appears to have caused more unease within your community.
What differences have been noted between 2024 and 2020?
People feel misled. Many believed Trump would fulfill his promises of decency in the White House, bridge racial divisions, end wars and invest in local communities – yet we see only the opposite happening today.
President Donald Trump is not someone we support; we understand what his return means in terms of Muslim ban, policies enacted under him and rhetoric spoken aloud on camera or behind podiums.
At present, we are asking our president to broker an official ceasefire so we can discuss our idea of asking him for one since he promised us decency and humanity would prevail. Furthermore, as mature communities we are capable of co-governing and co-writing policies that address how best to move forward given firsthand experience of living under occupation, apartheid, siege, death and destruction overseas.
As part of our political reporting, Joe Biden and his relationship with members of his Democratic base is another topic we explore. I recall doing some reporting on a Black electorate; there seemed to be an impression among some people that they identified themselves as Democrats because of what Republicans did rather than what Democrats themselves did themselves. So as a Democratic-elected official I would like to understand whether that sentiment resonates with you as well as describe your priorities within that larger framework of your work in the party?
As Mayor of Dearborn, I currently play an impartial role. Although elected Democrat before being appointed to the state legislature, my approach has always been policy by policy rather than being motivated solely by labels; perhaps that explains my aversion to labels; it stems from growing up after 9/11 when so much was defined with labels.
After 9/11, as I walked home from school a gun was pointed at me while someone threatened that they’d shoot all Muslim kids unless I kept walking. With so much rhetoric regarding Islamophobia against Arab Muslims being targeted with violence; my response has always been to be as objective and transparent in discussing any issue that arises – rather than hiding behind labels alone but discussing actual facts as they exist today.
No matter the policy for your constituents in Dearborn, there are Arab-Americans and Muslim Americans living there who identify as Democrats due to Republican Party’s refusal or inability to include us at their table.
Democrats offer more support, yet Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans tend to linger closer to its edges than with them; when heavy rainstorms strike, we are often caught off guard.
Rashida Tlaib of Michigander fame and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar are two such politicians I was considering when making my comment. These efforts by Tlaib and Omar to change relations with Muslim-Americans while criticizing Israel have resulted in backlash from their base members, yet her attempts have backfired with notable effects.
How can one navigate what appears to be an uphill struggle in changing that umbrella that you mention, while taking into account anti-Arab sentiment and Islamophobia? Can someone please elucidate?
At first it may appear difficult, but retreat is only going to worsen division. Polls also demonstrate something interesting: that Democratic leadership does not reflect its electorate; 50 percent consider what’s unfolding overseas genocide while our congressional leaders, presidents, or other elected Democrats have not called for a ceasefire despite having access to such concerns from their constituencies they represent.
This comparison won’t be exact; these two events don’t exactly overlap, but as I recall 2020 I remember many elected Democrats struggling to handle an activist class that advocated for issues of racial justice while calling for measures such as defunding police departments. Many elected Democrats eventually pulled back when their activists became too disruptive or took things too far; I personally witnessed many elected Democrats taking steps back when their activists crossed a certain line.
As an elected official, this may not be an election campaign moment – yet. But should your language focus on peacemaking and building public support for this issue? How much do you care about getting people on board instead of simply saying what’s true and correct? Does that make sense?
My approach to this question is straightforward and my residents agree with my sentiment: killing innocent men, women and children is wrong. However, many congressional leaders, President and his officials disagree; some even suggest there may be exceptions to this rule.
No exception should exist and anyone who makes one speaks volumes about their moral character.
As much as I understand your frustration, protests or tweets making clear you won’t meet with Biden staff when they visit Michigan have created an electoral issue for him and become an issue in themselves.
Question for You: Recent reports have raised concern that Joe Biden faces real electoral risk among Muslim-American and Arab-American voters, particularly in Michigan. Do these concerns deserve consideration and what are their implications?
Concerns raised are understandable; however, for any problem to be effectively addressed it falls on the President to find solutions that build trust with their constituents and win their support as representatives. What steps will you take to earn their respect and gain their backing for their representation?
I have run for office four times and never held it against my constituents if they did not vote for me. Instead, that should be seen as an opportunity to reflect and make necessary changes within yourself; not look outside yourself to ensure their needs are heard by their representatives.
As an aside, when we asked this question of the Biden campaign, their responses were mostly reactive – they said they take this concern seriously and didn’t want to downplay it – however one political answer we received suggested that voters typically do not prioritize foreign policy when selecting candidates in November elections.
So when posing questions to campaigns, our objective is to return decision-making powers back into the hands of constituents; that when stakes become clear and they trust either Biden or Trump for an open seat, those constituents will vote in favour of Biden as superior among comparable options.
So when I pose this question, it is not because I believe constituents, local leaders or people outside national politics should bear responsibility. Instead, when we visit these groups they argue that stakes will influence voters to select certain options.
Regarding my question directly to you: Due to our binary system and Biden’s unwillingness to listen to protestors or those making arguments for ceasefire – such as yours – there must be concern that making such arguments directly might open a path that Donald Trump can exploit?
No one has thought much about the November election yet, yet your question deserves an answer: we live in extraordinary times: this is the first time in modern history when genocide against Palestinians is being livestreamed on social media; as a result, polling data and voter decisions become less reliable indicators than usual of voting behavior.
As I noted above, when it comes to lives lost every day — which now number in the Tens of Thousands or Millions displaced — it speaks volumes if a candidate uses polls alone in making decisions about where they stand on these issues, considering how it will impact their election or not – this was why we did not meet with their campaign; meetings can be dehumanizing.
As such, we demand an immediate ceasefire and urge President Biden to reconsider any decisions that pose threats to American democracy posed by Donald Trump. Why does forming alliances with Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government matter more than protecting American democracy?
Your suggestion is sound: let’s put the question back on Michigan: if they feel threatened by this bill, that should mean they are listening more carefully and responding accordingly.
Correct. And if Michigan is threatened and Arab-American and Muslim-American votes threaten his chances, President Biden should ask himself why his support of Benjamin Netanyahu, widely seen as a war criminal and tyrant who leads Israel’s most extreme government ever, merits the sacrifice of American democracy.
Assuming Joe Biden issues a ceasefire call, would you meet with his campaign and attempt to convince voters they are listening? Or do they still have time for voters to view them as such individuals?
Calls for a ceasefire don’t equate to capitulating to campaign team demands; our politics is too serious and transactional for this. Instead, calling for such an interlude opens up further dialogue on humanitarian concerns and decision making processes yet uncompleted; calling for such a ceasefire would only promote more meaningful dialogue in these matters.
When discussing Joe Biden and his voter base with others, much of the discussion centers on whether his campaign can tap into your community’s sense of disaffection and anger. More so than persuading traditional independent voters or anything similar, data shows his greatest difficulty is with how his own voter base perceives him now.
“Let’s discuss apathy more broadly. To keep this discussion focused on Dearborn residents rather than Biden and those other candidates, imagine someone approached you by someone saying they do not plan to vote in November and would you confirm their sense of indifference or attempt to challenge it?” “Does this widespread feeling of apathy concern you at all?”
My concerns over this situation are evident, and my family often discusses it at dinner tables – what should we do when people feel powerless and that nobody is listening to their concerns? My message has always been: politics are local. As soon as possible, cast a vote for those down-ballot candidates that will have an immediate impact on your life – city council members, mayors, school board directors and state house/senate members etc. Do not overlook any issues or ballot initiatives on this year’s ballot that require further thought and consideration. If we feel disenfranchised from presidential and US Senate elections due to frontrunner candidates who fail to address our concerns or support ongoing genocides, I understand and support that decision. But we should remember everything else on the ballot – such as documenting our votes as proof of power that exists behind numbers.
Mayor, I greatly appreciate your time. Just as I stated to the protesters, one of our goals here is to oppose things so people can make where they stand more evident – something we did for both Biden’s campaign and protesters – so I appreciate you being open to that idea and sharing both moral and political insights that I find truly insightful. Thank you again so much.
Thank you all so much for giving me the privilege of joining you all here today – it truly means so much. I really value being with all of you here today.
After meeting Mayor Hammoud, we reached out to the Biden campaign for their response to protesters and his decision not to attend the meeting. A spokeswoman from their camp informed us of over one hundred meetings Biden has already conducted with state and local leaders regarding this conflict.
Concerning protestors, the campaign pointed out what President Donald Trump said from Mother Emanuel’s pulpit shortly after Tamara was removed from the building.
I understand their passion, and have worked steadily over time to help convince Israel’s government to reduce and significantly withdraw from Gaza, using all available means in my reach.
However, I understand your enthusiasm. Listen up: folks need to listen up!
Now is the “Run Up”, with Thursday, February 1st serving as Day Zero; now begins The Run Down.
I believe our actions speak well of our future. By planting our flag, I believe we have signaled to ourselves and others that things will change now.
Last week, a Manhattan jury awarded E Jean Carroll damages totalling more than $83 Million from Donald Trump for defamatory court proceedings she had filed against him. On Monday morning during an interview, Carroll related this experience.
He is nothing; just an illusion created by those around him who gave him power; I found this realization truly astounding; there’s no longer any need to fear him anymore.
I respect the jury and their decision was based on evidence, but do not agree that its verdict should force him off of the ballot – rather, I believe the American people will do this themselves – it seems best for him not to play victim but to act like the loser instead.
Trump, too, has ramped up his attacks against Haley as his main primary rival. On Truth Social, he issued a warning to her supporters by posting: “anyone contributing to Birdbrain will no longer be eligible to join MAGA camp”.
Only two days remain before South Carolina hosts its Democratic primary, and 278 days until Election Day! I’m looking forward to next week and celebrating Black History Month.
“The Run Up” was reported and produced by me, Astead Herndon, with Alisa Gutierrez, Caitlin O’Keefe and Anna Foley serving as producers, edited by Rachel Drye, Lisa Tobin and Frannie Carr Toth as editors, original music composed by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano Pat McCusker Diane Wong Sophia Lanman [? Alicia Beitu.?] Sophie Lanman mixed it, Caitlin Love fact checked it, with special thanks going out to Paula Szuchman Sam Dolnick Larissa Anderson David Halbfinger David Halbfinger Maddy Masiello Mahima Chablani Tara Gavin and Jeffrey Miranda for all of their help and support!
Do you have questions about the 2024 election? Reach out to us via email: therunup@nytimes.com, record and upload a voice memo using voice memo, then email it directly (using our email therunup@nytimes.com) if that works better for you! Additionally, follow our show wherever your podcasts can be found for updates of upcoming episodes… we thank all our listeners for listening and hope you join us again for our next episode!
President Donald Trump faces protesters who oppose his reelection bid in November.
President Biden has already begun transitioning into his presidential campaign mode.
On the campaign trail, he’s placed particular focus on South Carolina, which will host its inaugural Democratic primary this Saturday. One of his inaugural campaign events in 2016 took him to Emanuel A.M.E Church in Charleston for a speech which highlighted white supremacy as an inherent risk.
Soon into his address, however, he was cut short by protesters demanding a cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
Since early January, whenever Biden goes anywhere protesters are always present to show their disapproval of how his administration is handling Israel-Hamas hostilities.
Today: An analysis of how activists are upstaging President Trump at campaign events. Additionally, Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn, Michigan discusses why he declined an invitation from Biden’s team.
“The Run-Up” is your comprehensive guide to understanding the 2024 election. Through ground reporting and interviews with New York Times journalists, newsmakers, voters across the country and political experts like Astead W. Herndon from The New York Times, our host provides unique perspectives that go beyond horse race coverage to examine why American politics have reached this unprecedented point in its history. New episodes premiere every Thursday!
Credits
“The Run-Up” is hosted by Astead W. Herndon and produced by Anna Foley, Elisa Gutierrez and Caitlin O’Keefe, with Rachel Dry, Lisa Tobin and Frannie Carr Toth acting as editors; Frannie Carr Toth is frannie Carr Toth’s editor while original music composed by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Pat McCusker, Diane Wong and Elisheba Ittoop provides original compositions. Caitlin Love serves as fact-checker
Paula Szuchman, Sam Dolnick, Larissa Anderson, David Halbfinger, Tara Godvin and Renan Borell deserve special recognition.
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