In a striking return to the political stage, Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in a race that defied the expectations of many.
Projected by Fox News as the winner, Trump is set to return to the Oval Office, reclaiming the presidency just four years after his first term concluded. This remarkable comeback makes him the first U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in 1892, and only the second in American history to do so.
As of 1:05 p.m. IST, the Associated Press had called enough races to allocate 267 electoral votes to Trump and 214 to Harris. Trump’s campaign relied heavily on winning key swing states, and it paid off as he secured victories in battlegrounds like North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
He also carried Florida, a one-time swing state that has recently leaned Republican, along with traditionally Republican strongholds such as Texas, South Carolina, and Indiana. On the Democratic side, Harris clinched wins in New York, California, Virginia, New Mexico, and even managed to secure a single Electoral College vote in Nebraska, a rare, contested win for Democrats in that state.
Trump’s journey back to the White House came after a rigorous, nearly two-year campaign where he sought to energize his base and appeal to a broader swath of the electorate. His message focused on the familiar “Make America Great Once Again” slogan, which built on the themes he introduced in 2016.
His campaign also aimed to cut into traditional Democratic support by reaching out to Black and Latino voters, groups where he had struggled in past elections. This strategy showed modest gains, as early AP Vote Cast data suggested that Black and Latino voters were slightly less likely to support Harris than they had been for Biden four years earlier.
Trump will be 47th president in the US
At 78, Trump will now make history as the oldest president ever elected in the United States. He will also be the first president since Cleveland to return to office after a defeat and the only person convicted of a felony to occupy the White House.
His campaign faced unprecedented challenges, including assassination attempts and persistent foreign interference allegations, yet he prevailed, showcasing his resilience and the support he maintained within the Republican Party.
The electoral landscape mirrored a polarized nation, with voters divided over the direction of the country. Trump’s far-right platform, focused on immigration, nationalism, and an “America First” stance, resonated with a significant portion of the electorate. This stance marked a departure from traditional Republican orthodoxy and attracted a base that appreciated his outsider status and defiance of establishment norms.
Notably, in his victory speech, Trump praised Elon Musk, describing him as “a new star” and an “amazing guy.” Musk, who had endorsed Trump early in the campaign, actively campaigned on his behalf, championing Trump’s policy promises and support for deregulation, which aligns with Musk’s interests in technology and innovation. This public recognition underscores Musk’s growing influence in American politics and solidifies his alliance with Trump’s administration.
Trump’s victory signifies not only a personal redemption but also a reflection of a divided America, where traditional political norms have shifted. His return to the White House demonstrates the appeal of his message to a broad swath of voters who prioritize his vision of an “America First” future.
