Introduction
After Donald Trump's overwhelming defeat four years ago, observers saw the 2024 race as a foregone win for the Democrats. Many in the Republican Party believed that Trump would split the party and handily give the presidency to the Democrats.
However, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM, President Biden welcomed a victorious Donald Trump back to the White House. Trump won the 2024 presidential election by spectacularly beating Kamala Harris, Obama, and the Democratic machine. It was the most stunning political comeback in US history.
Donald Trump won the popular vote over Kamala Harris by approximately 2.4 million votes. Trump received 77,168,458 votes (49.9%), while Harris garnered 74,749,891 votes (48.3%). On the other hand, he secured 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win the presidency, while Harris received 226 electoral votes.
This marks the first time a Republican candidate has won the popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004.
Trump's victory is even more noteworthy than in 2016, since as he clinched his victory, he transformed the Republican Party into a diverse and middle-class coalition. And to add insult to injury, Republicans retook the Senate and the House to form a "trifecta", leaving the Democrats in the woods.
The GOP achieved a 53-47 Senate majority, while in the House of Representatives, they maintained their majority, holding 220 seats to the Democrats' 215.
These outcomes indicate a consolidation of Republican power across the executive and legislative branches following the 2024 elections.
Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election has far-reaching consequences for both domestic and international settings.
A Defeat for Lawfare and Mainstream Media Defamation
The Biden administration's unsuccessful "lawfare" approach and its defamation efforts against Trump contributed to Trump's victory. Despite these attacks, Trump achieved secured victories in all the so-called "swing states," namely Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
"Lawfare" refers to the use of legal systems and institutions to accomplish political or military goals. In the context of the Biden administration's measures against former President Donald Trump, "lawfare" refers to the many legal procedures launched during Biden's term.
The Department of Justice appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith to examine Trump's efforts to alter the 2020 election results, as well as his handling of confidential data. Smith's study determined that Trump engaged in a criminal endeavor to maintain power after losing the 2020 election.
However, owing to Trump's re-election in 2024, these charges were dropped since it is against established Department of Justice policy to prosecute a sitting president.
On August 8, 2022, Biden administration unleashed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against Trump. Agents executed a search warrant to former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, in a bold action that reflects the Biden administration's fear of Trump's presidential campaign. This extraordinary action was part of an investigation into Trump's suspected handling of classified government documents after leaving office.
A Divided Democratic Party
Moreover, the division within the Democratic Party, along with Trump's emergence as the ultimate comeback figure, boosted his success. The Democratic Party's internal divisions weakened their unified messaging and strategy, hobbling their efforts to counter Trump's narrative effectively. On the other hand, Trump banked on his reputation as a resilient figure, using his comeback legend to motivate his base and entice undecided voters.
Trump's victory was more massive than what the figures tell since he defeated Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, the Democratic Establishment, the media, and the so-called "Big Tech." Major media and social media outlets humiliated and degraded themselves with propaganda-level coverage, lying about Trump, mocking his words, and putting unseen intentions in everything he did.
The media and "Big Tech" subjected Trump and his adversaries to two radically different standards. They supported unprecedented attempts to prosecute and imprison Trump, while censoring free expression on social media.
Media Gets Its Due
But the media's comeuppance was up and coming. This began after they ignored Biden's cognitive decline until the disastrous June debate. They shifted the protection racket to Harris, who gladly accepted the nomination. The character and conditions of Trump's victory are remarkable and are already part of his legend. Many, many years from now, it will be remembered as a tale and a fable.
In the near and distant future, candidates for all posts and both parties will minutely examine his campaign to see how Trump pulled off one of the most stunning victories in American political history.
Trumpian mechanics, strategy, rallies, programs, and alliances all played a part. But no analysis of this momentous moment would be complete without acknowledging one other remarkable attribute of Trump: no one, certainly at least among his political peers, will ever outwork him.
He is relentless, persistent, uncompromising, sleeps little, and is inclined to do tasks rather than blabber about them. His resolve for and dedication to America and its people have earned the respect of even his most vicious opponents.
Elon Musk's Role
Elon Musk’s role in Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory is multifaceted. Still, if we have to narrow it down to basics, it has got to be his impact on public opinion, his ownership of social media platforms, and the public's obsession with technological innovation:
Social Media Influence: Musk's acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) led to changes in platform policies, including the restoration of Donald Trump's banned accounts. This move enabled Trump to communicate directly with millions of followers, which, in turn, assisted him in forming his narratives and invigorating his voter base.
Tech-Driven Narratives: Musk's forthright views on free speech, government regulation, and popularized innovation appealed to parts of the electorate concerned about the excesses of "woke" culture. This alignment of values widened Trump's support among tech-savvy voters and free thinkers.
Endorsement Effect: While Musk didn’t openly endorse Trump, his public criticisms of the Biden administration and its policies—especially those affecting industries like energy and space exploration—obliquely aligned him with Trump's proposals. This recognizable alignment influenced voter sentiment in key demographics.
Media Amplification: Musk's prestige and credibility on the topics he addressed, including criticism of mainstream media and government inefficiency, gained increased media coverage. These issues often coincided with Trump's messaging, creating a reciprocally reinforcing effect in molding public opinion. These factors combined created a setting where Musk's actions and views helped shape the political topography that was receptive to Trump's campaign strategies.
The Biden Administration's Bad Policies
The Democratic Party's poor economic policies, open border policy, and radical stance on cultural issues all contributed to Donald Trump's victory. Moreover, the party's candidates, President Biden and Kamala Harris, were outstandingly weak and affected the election's outcome. And let us not even talk about the glaring disparities between Vice-Presidential candidates JD Vance and the buffoonish Tim Walz.
Nonetheless, the Democratic Party's frantic assault on Trump, which included claims of racism, fascism, and being Hitler, all backfired and played an important role in Trump's victory. Despite some Democrats acknowledging these issues, they were unable to confront the human essence of the battle.
And that precisely is: under both Democratic and Republican administrations since Reagan, the American middle class, which was once a dependable Democratic constituency, has seen its portion of America's wealth decline and its financial stability worsen.
As a result, their voting habits have become less predictable. Many middle-class voters, such as those who grew up in a staunchly Democratic home, are increasingly dissatisfied with the Democratic Party's new cultural agenda. They supported President Joe Biden in 2020 but got more disillusioned by the debate over such issues as teaching critical race theory (CRT) in schools, which the Democratic Party supports.
Domestic Implications
Political Realignment: Trump's victory signals a significant change in American politics. His ability to establish a diverse coalition, with increased backing from ethnic and working-class voters, suggests a change in traditional party strongholds. To re-engage with these constituencies, the Democratic Party must reconsider its approach and ideals.
Economic policies: The possibility of Trump's pro-business agenda, which includes corporate tax cuts and deregulation, has already improved economic confidence. Following the election, the US economy grew significantly, reaching, at the time of this writing, a 31-month high in output, surpassing other major economies.
Cultural Dynamics: The Trump administration continues to impact cultural and social issues, especially those related to immigration, law enforcement, and national identity. His opposition to "wokeism" and commitment to traditional values resonate with a significant portion of the population, possibly intensifying cultural tensions
International consequences
Foreign Policy Shifts: Trump's return to the White House is anticipated to have an impact on US foreign policy, notably relations with China, Iran, and NATO allies. His administration may adopt a more confrontational attitude against China and reassess its commitments to multilateral alliances, upsetting global diplomatic dynamics. We note the recent utterances of Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio.
Global Economic Impact: The post-election economic surge in the United States, fueled by promises of tax cuts and deregulation, stands in stark contrast to Europe's ongoing economic stagnation. This disparity could significantly impact global markets, reshape trade relations, and influence international economic stability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Trump's victory is a watershed moment, signifying a significant shift in political alignments, economic methods, and cultural conflicts inside the United States. As well, Trump's comeback portends changes in international relations and global economic trends.
His triumph underscores the growing importance of connecting with middle-class and increasingly diverse voters, whose concerns about economic stability and cultural values played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the 2024 US elections. Both major parties will need to adjust their strategies to respond to the changing priorities and concerns of these key demographics.
On the international stage, Trump's policies could well redefine alliances and global economic dynamics. New challenges and opportunities for geopolitical cooperation will be created.
As historians, pundits, and the common American reflect on this election, it will prospectively serve as a lesson-rich case study on the motivations that drive political actors, the resilience and changing composition of political movements, and the enduring impact of inspired leadership on national and global political undertakings.
Sources
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