In a twist that has reshaped the American political landscape, Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, marking an unprecedented comeback. Trump, now 78, is not only the oldest person to assume the office but also the first convicted criminal to win the White House.
His return to the presidency has sent ripples through domestic and international circles, raising concerns over the direction of American leadership in the years to come.
The race culminated in a decisive moment when the Associated Press called Wisconsin for Trump, bringing his electoral vote count to 277, beyond the 270 needed for victory. His opponent, Vice-President Kamala Harris, who had sought to break multiple barriers as the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian American president, was defeated.
Her campaign, focused on reproductive rights and personal freedoms, appealed strongly to progressive voters but fell short amid widespread economic and social tensions. For many, her loss echoed the 2016 defeat of Hillary Clinton, underscoring the challenges faced by female candidates in the country’s highest-stakes political contests.
Trump’s victory is remarkable not only for his political resurgence but also for the legal challenges that loomed over his campaign. Despite facing four criminal cases, including a conviction related to hush-money payments, his popularity among the Republican base remained strong.
His conviction on 34 felony counts, which would have been catastrophic for other politicians, seemed to only galvanize his supporters, strengthening his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement. This resilient support proved crucial in a fiercely contested election, with final polling data showing Trump and Harris tied at 48% each in the popular vote.
In the run-up to the election, former President Joe Biden’s unexpected decision to step aside paved the way for Harris to take the Democratic nomination. However, her campaign struggled to gain traction, with challenges compounded by hurricanes, international conflicts, and economic uncertainties. A debate misstep by Biden earlier in the year had also damaged the Democrats’ momentum, pushing Harris into an uphill battle for voter support.
Trump’s appeal to disenchanted voters, particularly among white working-class and evangelical Christian communities, demonstrated his enduring influence in American politics. His campaign rhetoric, often laced with controversial remarks on immigration and nativist populism, resonated with segments of the electorate sceptical of the traditional political establishment.
Trump reiterated plans for strict immigration policies, which critics viewed as divisive, yet they bolstered his base’s support and rekindled his appeal as an anti-establishment figure.
The narrow victory suggests that many Americans remain drawn to Trump’s message despite its contentious undertones. His campaign received a significant boost from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who donated millions to swing-state voters, adding to Trump’s advantage in a race defined by tight margins and polarising debates. Trump’s stance on the criminal charges against him, framing them as politically motivated, appeared to resonate with voters wary of the justice system.
As he prepares to reenter the White House, Trump will serve as the first president with non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland, whose split tenure in the late 19th century set a historical precedent.
Harris, who will preside over the certification of the election results, will be succeeded by Senator JD Vance of Ohio, a staunch Trump ally. Trump’s second term is expected to bring further upheaval, with both supporters and detractors anticipating a transformative period in American politics.