TL;DR:
- Donald Trump has declared victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, just one state away from securing the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
- Trump has secured key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, while Kamala Harris has yet to concede.
- Republicans are projected to gain control of the Senate, strengthening Trump’s ability to pass his legislative agenda.
- Trump’s victory marks a historic political comeback, making him the first former president in over 130 years to return to the White House.
Donald Trump has declared victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, positioning himself on the brink of a historic political comeback. Addressing a jubilant crowd of supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, early Wednesday morning, Trump announced what he called a “magnificent victory for the American people” and promised to usher in “a new golden age for America.” With projections showing him just one state away from securing the 270 electoral votes needed to win, the former president is poised to return to the White House after losing his re-election bid in 2020.
Trump’s victory speech comes as he holds commanding leads in several key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina. According to CBS projections, he is also ahead in Michigan and Wisconsin, two critical Rust Belt states that played a pivotal role in his 2016 victory. If successful, Trump would become the first former president in over 130 years to reclaim the presidency after leaving office.
The Republican Party also received a significant boost on election night, with projections indicating they will gain control of the U.S. Senate. This shift in power could provide Trump with a smoother path to enact his legislative agenda, which includes mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and sweeping tax cuts.
Kamala Harris Yet to Concede
Vice President Kamala Harris, who had hoped to make history as the first female president of the United States, has not yet conceded the race. Harris was expected to address her supporters at Howard University in Washington D.C., her alma mater, but her campaign chair Cedric Richmond announced late Tuesday night that she would not be making an appearance. The mood at Harris’s event reportedly turned somber as results trickled in from key states showing Trump pulling ahead.
Harris’s campaign struggled to replicate the support that President Joe Biden garnered among key demographics in 2020. Early exit polls suggest that Harris underperformed with women voters compared to Biden’s 2020 numbers. While Harris secured 54% of female voters, Biden had won 57% four years earlier. Additionally, support from Black and Latino voters appeared slightly diminished compared to Biden’s coalition.
A Stunning Political Reversal for Trump
Trump’s return to power marks a dramatic reversal of fortune for the 78-year-old businessman-turned-politician. After leaving office in 2021 following his loss to Joe Biden and facing widespread criticism for his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot, many believed Trump’s political career was over. He became the first president to be impeached twice and later faced criminal charges related to falsifying business records.
Despite these setbacks, Trump launched his comeback campaign in November 2022 and quickly consolidated support within the Republican Party. His campaign was marked by controversial moments, including surviving two assassination attempts and refusing to release his medical records despite concerns over his age.
Trump’s victory also signals a potential shift back toward nationalist policies that defined his first term. During his campaign, he promised sweeping changes, including replacing thousands of federal workers with loyalists and imposing tariffs on both allies and adversaries alike.
Republicans Flip Senate Control
In addition to Trump’s projected win, Republicans are set to regain control of the Senate after flipping two key seats previously held by Democrats—one in West Virginia and another in Ohio. This development further strengthens Trump’s position as he prepares for a second term in office. The Republican majority will likely make it easier for him to push through his legislative priorities.
As votes continue to be counted in several states where races remain tight, both parties are preparing for potential legal challenges. Law enforcement agencies across the country have been on high alert for any signs of unrest or violence related to the election process. While Election Day itself passed relatively peacefully, there were reports of bomb threat hoaxes targeting election-related locations nationwide.
What Comes Next?
As final results are certified over the coming days, attention will turn toward Trump’s potential cabinet appointments and policy agenda. At his victory rally, Trump hinted that vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former Democrat, could play a key role in his administration’s healthcare policy.
While Harris has yet to concede publicly, her path to victory appears increasingly narrow as Trump solidifies his lead across multiple swing states. The nation—and indeed much of the world—now watches closely as Donald Trump prepares for what could be one of the most remarkable political comebacks in U.S. history.
This developing story will continue to unfold as final results are confirmed and both candidates make their next moves.
Source: BBC
