Former President Donald Trump is set to reclaim the White House, securing a second term nearly four years after leaving office amidst political and legal challenges.
Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) has declared Trump the winner after he won key states like Pennsylvania and Alaska, reaching the necessary 270 electoral votes.
This victory marks a significant and controversial moment in American politics, as Trump faced numerous obstacles during his campaign, including a criminal trial, two assassination attempts, and a reshuffling of the Democratic ticket following President Biden’s unexpected withdrawal.
Trump becomes the first president since Grover Cleveland in 1892 to regain the White House after losing a previous election.
His win included critical victories in battleground states like Georgia, along with a strengthened hold on North Carolina, while polls in these areas remained tight right up to Election Day. Trump’s popular vote also saw a notable increase, a rare achievement for Republicans since 1992.
Running alongside Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), Trump focused on issues such as rising costs, border security, and global instability, drawing voters back to his policies.
Exit polls revealed strong Latino turnout, significant support in rural areas, and competitive numbers with Vice President Kamala Harris among young male voters, a group his campaign actively targeted.
Trump’s platform promises a hardline approach, including expanded immigration enforcement, a continuation of his 2017 tax cuts, universal tariffs, rollback of transgender protections, and dismantling the Department of Education.
Additionally, he aims to build a loyal administration that aligns with his vision.
Despite historically struggling with female voters, Trump overcame challenges on abortion, an issue Harris emphasized in her campaign. However, it was not enough to shift the election in her favor.
With Trump’s victory, the Supreme Court could tilt further right, and Republicans have regained control of the Senate.
Having narrowly won in 2016 and lost in 2020, Trump’s return concludes a period marked by his continued claims of electoral fraud, which remain unproven. His ongoing 2023 federal indictment over actions related to the 2020 election has yet to be resolved, with Trump indicating intentions to remove Special Counsel Jack Smith, potentially hindering investigations.
