Trump wins the US presidency; Republicans will control the Senate, House control remains uncalled.
In an astonishing return to the White House, Donald Trump has claimed victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. At the time of this report, Trump has secured nearly 72 million votes in a comeback as the 47th president of the United States, an extraordinary feat with widespread gains across the country. The Republican shift was evident across diverse areas. It widened Trump’s margins from rural border regions in Texas to affluent suburbs around Washington, D.C., and even in traditionally Democratic New York City (NYC) areas.
This outcome has left many international observers questioning the resilience of American democracy, given Trump’s prior impeachment for his role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection, his May 2024 felony conviction in New York, and a recent assassination attempt during the campaign. Despite these challenges, Trump’s base – cheered by the World’s richest person, Elon Musk – rallied in massive numbers, fueled by discontent over economic issues like inflation and immigration concerns.
Trump’s ability to capitalize on economic and social anxieties and a strategic campaign targeting working-class and conservative voters cemented his return to the presidency.
For Trump, a second term represents an opportunity to enact policies without the restraints he faced in his first term. His plans include aggressive deportation policies, tariff impositions, and further dismantling of environmental regulations. He has vowed to push an authoritarian agenda, targeting political opponents and reconfiguring the federal workforce to align with his vision. Trump’s re-election is set to deepen the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, granting a more enduring platform for his policy priorities on issues like reproductive rights and immigration.
His victory indicates a shift in American conservatism, as the Republican party has primarily coalesced around Trump’s nativist and populist agenda.
Kamala Harris, who campaigned to address Biden’s economic legacy and positioned herself as a moderate, struggled against Trump’s appeal to economically disenfranchised voters. Issues like inflation and the mixed results of Biden’s policies weighed heavily on her campaign. Many voters voiced concerns about the Democratic Party’s performance on critical issues, ultimately favoring Trump’s promise to address economic hardships, albeit through controversial measures.
President Joe Biden has called President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his election victory and to invite him to the White House to discuss the transition. Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a concession speech Wednesday at 4 p.m. at her alma mater, Howard University, her office announced.
Trump’s return signals a polarized electorate and a clear indication that significant segments of the American population remain receptive to his brand of politics despite the controversies surrounding him.
As Trump begins his second term, his administration is expected to make swift and sweeping changes that will shape America’s policy direction and potentially redefine democratic norms.