Donald Trump has built his political career on defying odds and shredding historical norms. As he takes the stage at the Republican National Convention, just days after surviving an assassination attempt, he’s on track to mount his biggest comeback yet.

He’ll speak in Milwaukee with renewed strength as his political star is skyrocketing. A candidate who is no stranger to symbolism and imagery — his red MAGA hats are badges of honor among his supporters — the latest Trump hallmark is a historic fist pump captured minutes after inches spared his life.

That viral image and projection of strength instantly solidified his base and possibly attracted some undecided voters.

The tragedy of July 13, when two people died, including the gunman, and two were seriously wounded, was bookended by good fortune for Trump. He’s benefited from a weakened Democratic opponent, who for more than two weeks has been trying to prove his fitness for office. Trump has also had multiple legal rulings go in his favor, with the Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity and a Florida judge dismissing the classified documents case against him.

Since President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance on June 27, the 2024 presidential race has seen a seismic shift in the last 21 days. The incumbent, once viewed as having a moral high ground, now faces calls to step aside and questions about whether his White House has concealed a diminished candidate. And Trump, the two-time challenger viewed as one of the most divisive personalities in American politics, has a chance to become a unity candidate.

This moment is arguably the most significant in Trump’s career. After losing crucial swing-state voters in 2020 and facing numerous legal challenges, he is now leading Biden in all battlegrounds.

His advantage is largely attributed to voters trusting him more than Biden on the economy and southern border. Simultaneously, he’s muting Republican positions that are unpopular with voters, such as the rollback of abortion rights and the GOP’s stance on same-sex marriage.

Just as the attempted assassination has changed the race, it appears to have also changed the Republican candidate’s approach. Trump told The Washington Examiner that his convention speech will be “a lot different” than it would have been two days ago. He sees the speech as a “chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together.”

If Trump focuses on unity in his convention speech, rather than repeating unsubstantiated claims of stolen elections and political persecution, it could be an attempt to win over unsatisfied Democrats and third-party voters.

His vice-presidential pick, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, is also a symbolic decision to pass the torch to a younger generation of Republicans. Vance is 39.

Biden, meanwhile, faces continued criticism for his reluctance to pass the torch. He remains embroiled in a fight over his age and his approval rating is in the basement, hovering around 32%. Though he’s only a few years older than Trump, his repeated gaffes and perceived weakness has led to 85% of voters saying he’s too old for a second term and 67% saying he shouldn’t run again in a new poll. Biden has resisted that public opinion and defied calls from within the Democratic Party to end his campaign.

It’s not a coincidence that Trump picked Vance, who is 20 years younger than Vice President Kamala Harris. Together they will appear as the younger and stronger ticket, consistently contrasting with Biden-Harris.

The Trump-Vance ticket now has all the momentum in the 2024 presidential race.

However, 16 weeks until Election Day is a long time in politics. Democrats still have time to swing things in their favor, but they might have to replace their presumptive nominee to do it.