Donald Trump was projected to win the 2024 presidential election early Wednesday, completing an extraordinary political comeback and securing a second, non-consecutive term.
At 78 years old, Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, surpassing the critical 270-vote threshold in the Electoral College. He reversed his 2020 losses in key battleground states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, earning significant margins among white rural and working-class voters while also making inroads with ethnic minorities.
“There’s never been anything like this in this country, and maybe beyond,” Trump said at a victory celebration at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, close to his Mar-a-Lago resort. “We’re going to help our country heal,” he continued, emphasizing his intention to fix America’s problems, including its borders.
Trump’s win highlighted a strong night for Republicans, who were also projected to reclaim control of the Senate. The fate of the House of Representatives remained uncertain, with results expected in the coming days. Most notably, Trump was favored to win the popular vote, potentially ending a 20-year streak of Republican losses in the national vote.
In a chilling echo of 2016, thousands of Harris supporters at Howard University were left stunned and in tears as it became clear their candidate would not win. Campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond was forced to inform the crowd that Harris would not be making an appearance.
Trump had exuded confidence in the final days of the campaign, targeting male voters and holding rallies across the country, including a memorable stop at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Harris focused on her role as a champion of small businesses and the middle class, downplaying her identity as the first woman of Jamaican and Indian descent running for president and distancing herself from some of her previous left-wing stances.
Trump’s victory made him just the second president in U.S. history to be elected in non-consecutive terms, joining Democrat Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th president. Despite the race being widely seen as a toss-up, exit polls revealed a strong desire for change among American voters, particularly regarding economic strain and illegal immigration.
“I will fight for you, for your family and your future — every single day,” Trump promised in his victory speech. “This will truly be the golden age of America.”
The election had taken a dramatic turn in its final days, marked by media controversies and inflammatory remarks. A rally in late October at Madison Square Garden saw comedian Tony Hinchcliffe spark outrage with a joke about Puerto Rico, while Biden’s campaign also struggled with his comments about Trump’s supporters, calling them “garbage” before walking back the remark.
Biden’s campaign faced increasing challenges, including his own physical and verbal missteps. Trump’s campaign was also marred by multiple criminal charges, including alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
In an unexpected twist, Trump survived multiple assassination attempts during the campaign, further fueling Republican criticism of the Democrats’ rhetoric, which Trump supporters believed was inciting violence.
The race saw fierce competition in the Democratic Party as well, with Harris securing the nomination after Biden’s decision to step aside. Throughout the race, Harris raked in over $1 billion in donations, with ads targeting key issues like border enforcement and the economy. Trump’s fundraising also saw massive boosts from high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Bill Ackman, who contributed heavily to his campaign.
Trump’s platform centered on shutting down the border to combat illegal immigration, rolling back regulations on the oil and gas industry, and pushing for a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He also proposed significant domestic policy shifts, including taxpayer-funded IVF for couples and the elimination of taxes on tips for service workers—policies later adopted by Harris in her own platform.
