Donald Trump bleeding on stage, Joe Biden dropping out of the race and MAGA moving back into DC were just some of the top political moments that 2024 had to offer.
But those were hardly the only ones.
Lil Jon brings the Democrats to their feet, politicians showing up on Saturday Night Live and talk of trash (in cans and jokes) filled headlines.
Here is a look back at the top political moments of the last year and some of the memorable scenes you may have forgotten:
Tim Scott awkwardly interrupts Trump’s speech
While appearing on stage with Donald Trump in January, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott awkwardly interrupted the then-presidential candidate’s speech to declare, “I just love you.”
Trump: You’re the Senator of his state. She endorsed me. You must really hate her
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 24, 2024
Scott to Trump: I just love you pic.twitter.com/fwo60526nK
Nikki Haley plays herself on ‘Saturday Night Live’
Before dropping out of the Republican presidential primaries, Haley made a guest appearance as herself on Saturday Night Live in February. It was an attempt to poke fun at her own comment about the Civil War and slavery, but it fell flat with audiences.
Biden spots Marjorie Taylor Greene at the State of the Union
One of the most meme-worthy moments this year came from the State of the Union when President Biden spotted Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene decked out in Trump merch.
Biden experiences Marjorie Taylor Greene in a MAGA hat at SOTU pic.twitter.com/vGtkBUJxSv
— Aidan McLaughlin (@aidnmclaughlin) March 8, 2024
Katie Britt gives a memorable State of the Union rebuttal
Alabama Senator Katie Britt went viral for giving a strange, overly dramatic Republican rebuttal to President Biden’s State of the Union address in March.
Trump is convicted
Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York in May, becoming the first president to be criminally convicted.
Six-year-old steals the show on the House floor
Republican Representative John Rose, of Tennessee, attempted to give a speech on the House floor but his six-year-old son stole the show by making faces at the camera in June.
A child on the House floor while @repjohnrose delivers remarks. pic.twitter.com/HeNY5nNNEI
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 3, 2024
Biden’s shaky debate performance
During the first presidential debate in June, Biden faltered, stumbled, and misstated facts about Trump, leading many to believe he was unfit to run for another term.
Eric Adams introduces trash cans
In July, New York City Mayor Eric Adams introduced a new inventive way to prevent trash from piling up on the sidewalks: garbage cans.
“Welcome to our trash revolution.” Mayor Adams introduces the new bin that buildings with 1-9 units will be required to use instead of loose bags of garbage pic.twitter.com/nMiAZiXMVz
— Liam Quigley (@_elkue) July 8, 2024
Trump is shot
At a rally in Butler, Pennslyvania, a gunman attempted to assassinate Trump – shooting the President-elect in the ear and killing a rally attendee.
Ear bandages become a trend at the RNC
After Trump showed up at the Republican National Convention with his ear bandaged, his devoted fans decided to mimic his injury by sticking tissues in hats or taping bandages to their own ears.
Kevin McCarthy and Matt Gaetz spar at the RNC
Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy refused to let former representative Matt Gaetz interrupt his interview with CNN and outed Gaetz for having an ethics complaint for “sleeping with a 17-year-old.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz tries to interrupt Kevin McCarthy's CNN interview and McCarthy isn't having it.
— The Recount (@therecount) July 16, 2024
McCarthy: "He's got an ethics complaint about paying, sleeping with a 17 year old." pic.twitter.com/rhW906qJKs
Hulk Hogan rips his shirt at the RNC
In an unexpected turn of events at the RNC, former wrestler Hulk Hogan excitedly ripped his shirt off while on stage to reveal a Trump–Vance tank top.
Biden drops out of the presidential race
It became clear Democrats lost faith in Biden after his debate against Trump leaving the president to announce he was dropping out of the presidential race – allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place.
‘Brat summer’ takes over the Harris campaign
Young people’s excitement about the Harris campaign collided with their love for Charli XCX’s “brat” album and caused confusion among many, including CNN’s Jake Tapper.
The CNN desk talks Kamala Harris getting the Charli xcx brat edit.@jaketapper: “I will aspire to be brat.” pic.twitter.com/oiRXLWO48X
— The Recount (@therecount) July 22, 2024
Tlaib holds a ‘war criminal’ sign during Netanyahu’s speech
Representative Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American to serve in Congress, held a “war criminal” sign while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress.
Trump claims Harris ‘became a Black woman recently’
During a poorly received interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, Trump said Harris “happened to turn Black” – leading to intense backlash.
RFK Jr. admits he dumped a bear in Central Park
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted that he picked up a dead bear on the side of the road and dumped its body in Central Park, solving a years-long mystery.
Lil Jon performs at the DNC
During roll call at the Democratic National Convention, rapper Lil Jon chose to perform a politically themed version of his son Turn Down for What.
the european mind cannot comprehend lil jon doing georgia's roll call pic.twitter.com/Zm5oSTk2UT
— ufcol.in (@ufcolin) August 21, 2024
Vance’s awkward encounter with a donut shop employee
Vance was met with a less-than-enthusiastic donut shop employee while campaigning in Georgia, leading to a viral awkward moment.
JD Vance had a very awkward visit to a donut shop in Georgia earlier. Trust us, it’s worse than you even think. pic.twitter.com/Fnohh0bKUf
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 22, 2024
Trump says immigrants are ‘eating cats and dogs’
During the second presidential debate, this time against Harris, Trump made the outlandish and false claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating cats and dogs.
Trump: Illegal aliens are eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio. pic.twitter.com/As1hgA0P6G
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 11, 2024
Trump has “concepts of a plan”
During the presidential debate, Trump said he only had “concepts” of a healthcare plan when asked about the policies he would institute as president.
Biden’s 9/11 gaffe
President Biden told reporters he was “doing 9/11” in a gaffe. What he meant to say was that he would participate in the 9/11 memorial ceremonies.
YIKES: Crooked Joe Biden says he's "doing 9/11" tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/5sYdNbIQxI
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 10, 2024
Adams smiles for cameras after being indicted
Adams gave a bizarre impromptu press conference following a federal indictment accusing him of accepting bribes from foreign nationals and campaign donations from a straw donor scheme.
Holy shit. "Your policies are anti-Black!! You are a disgrace to all Black people in this city!" Eric Adams press conference being righteously disrupted right now. pic.twitter.com/WTH1Ia0iPK
— Read Abolish Rent (@JPHilllllll) September 26, 2024
Elon Musk enters the chat, jumping
Musk joined Trump on the campaign trail in October, memorably making his first appearance by jumping on stage.
Trump spends 40 minutes dancing during town hall
After two attendees suffered medical emergencies during a Pennsylvania town hall in October, Trump turned the event into a dance party.
Comedian calls Puerto Rico ‘floating island of garbage’
At Trump’s famous Madison Square Garden rally, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe joked Puerto Rico is a “floating island of garbage,” which led to backlash.
“There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you know this but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico” pic.twitter.com/IXbXqDijyU
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 27, 2024
Tucker Carlson compares Trump to a dad spanking his misbehaving children
In a bizarre rally speech, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson compared Trump to a dad coming home to punish his misbehaving children, claiming Trump would give a “bad little girl” a “vigorous spanking.”
Trump wins the 2024 presidential election
In the early morning hours after Election Day, Trump declared victory – though news agencies had not officially called the election for him yet – and called MAGA “the greatest political movement of all time.” It marked Trump’s second win and third presidential campaign.
Harris concedes to Trump
Harris gave a concession speech one day after losing the 2024 presidential election to Trump, marking the end of her campaign and the beginning of a new Trump administration.
Secret Service hearing devolves into a screaming match
A congressional hearing on the Secret Service in December turned into a screaming match between acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and Republican Representative Pat Fallon.
Holy shit -- acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon just had a huge, angry blow up during a hearing, screaming and yelling at each other pic.twitter.com/LQdvHGnEGM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 5, 2024
