Former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday to secure a non-consecutive second term in the White House, overcoming historic challenges in a closely contested election. Trump won decisive victories across major swing states, earning an Electoral College win of 291 to 223 as of Wednesday night.
Trump’s win marks a continuation of conservative leadership, underscoring themes of border security, economic protectionism and traditional values that have defined his political brand.
After a campaign characterized by high-stakes legal challenges and heated rhetoric, this election has signaled a critical moment for the future of American policy and governance.
Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, ran on promises of stricter immigration controls, job creation through economic nationalism and a rollback of social policies implemented by the Biden administration.
His platform, emphasizing “America First” principles, focused on curbing illegal immigration, reducing foreign aid, and restructuring global trade policies in favor of domestic industries.
In contrast, Harris, a longtime advocate of progressive policies, campaigned on inclusivity, economic equity and climate action, appealing to voters seeking structural change in Washington.
Born in Oakland, California, Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, has long championed civil rights and social justice issues. Her background as a former prosecutor and California attorney general, along with her historic election as the first Black woman to serve as U.S. senator from California, positioned her as a strong advocate for reform.
Throughout her vice presidency, Harris focused on issues such as reproductive rights, housing and immigration, building a coalition that included younger progressives and minority communities.
As the heir of the Trump fortune, former President Trump spent his early career working for his father, Fred Trump’s business, where he primarily managed holdings of rental housing before becoming the president of a conglomeration of Trump-owned corporations and championing his role in New York City’s high society.
Trump began “The Apprentice,” a reality television series that he hosted and starred in, which boosted his national notoriety and expressed an effort to run for office in the early 2000s.
His political career began in 2015, just before his 70th birthday, when he announced his candidacy for the presidency.
Trump’s win of the electoral vote and loss of the popular vote made him the 45th president of the United States, a term that would go on to include a global pandemic and his impeachment on two occasions.
During the 2024 campaign, Harris and Trump clashed over the country’s direction, with Trump attacking her policies on healthcare expansion, climate action and immigration reform, labeling them as overly progressive and a threat to American values.
His campaign’s message of economic stability and social conservatism resonated with older, rural and conservative voters, forming the backbone of his support.
Harris’ efforts to connect with a diverse electorate and her emphasis on unity faced fierce resistance, especially in the wake of a polarized political climate following the Jan. 6 insurrection and the subsequent debates over accountability.
Trump’s campaign, fortified by his base, was bolstered by messaging that criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the economy and foreign policy issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war. His assertive stance on national defense and his criticism of progressive immigration policies struck a chord with voters wary of perceived threats to national security.
Despite the grassroots organizing and significant voter mobilization among young voters and advocacy groups supporting Harris, Trump’s momentum proved insurmountable.
His win solidifies a conservative foothold in American politics and opens a new chapter in the ongoing political struggle between progressive and traditional ideologies.
In Trump’s speech he hailed his victory as a mandate to govern. “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
The new Trump administration faces significant challenges, from climate policy and immigration reform to managing a politically divided Congress. Trump has pledged a return to conservative policymaking and a more isolationist foreign policy.