PALM BEACH, Florida, NOV 6
Donald Trump has been elected president again, marking a significant comeback four years after his departure from the White House. This return ushers in a new leadership likely to test democratic norms domestically and strain international relations.
Trump, 78, secured victory on Wednesday, surpassing the 270 Electoral College votes needed, according to Edison Research. His win in Wisconsin pushed him past the threshold, giving him 279 electoral votes compared to 223 for Kamala Harris, with some states still pending final counts. Trump also led Harris by approximately five million popular votes.
Celebrating his win at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Trump called the result a “powerful mandate.” His victory came despite a turbulent political history, including two impeachments and multiple indictments, as well as previous claims of election fraud that incited the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
Throughout his campaign, Trump capitalized on economic concerns, inflation, and rising anxieties over immigration, using rhetoric that intensified national polarization. Harris, who stepped into the race after President Biden withdrew in July, struggled to counter Trump’s momentum in a campaign characterized by stark economic and immigration issues.
The results also led to a Republican majority in the Senate, while control of the House of Representatives remains close. Major stock markets saw gains following Trump’s victory, with the dollar experiencing its strongest one-day jump since 2020.
Economic issues, identified by voters as a top priority, played a key role in Trump’s victory, with many Americans favoring his approach to inflation and the economy over Harris. Trump’s support came from a diverse coalition, including Hispanic and lower-income voters, alongside his traditionally loyal rural, white, and non-college-educated base.
Trump’s second term is expected to have widespread implications on U.S. trade, climate policies, and immigration, as well as national issues such as tax cuts, tariffs, and civil service restructuring. He has pledged to deport undocumented immigrants and intends to centralize executive power, including reshaping federal law enforcement agencies to investigate opponents.
This victory makes Trump only the second former president, after Grover Cleveland, to serve two nonconsecutive terms. Trump’s agenda is expected to deepen the divide on key issues like race, education, and reproductive rights, intensifying the nation’s political divide.
Harris’ brief campaign focused on preserving democratic norms and warning of potential authoritarianism under Trump. She highlighted testimonials from former Trump officials, some of whom criticized Trump as a “fascist,” but her warnings failed to gain sufficient traction among voters.
Trump’s win has underscored the challenges facing U.S. democracy, with nearly 75% of voters viewing it as under threat. His agenda for a second term aims to reshape the executive branch, promising to staff his administration with loyalists, including roles for figures like Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE