Former President Donald Trump has won the 2024 United States presidential election, marking a significant political comeback. His victory was confirmed early Wednesday morning with decisive wins in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, two crucial battleground states. This outcome returns him to the White House for a second term after losing the presidential race in 2020.
Trump’s victory came after a contentious election season against his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. His campaign focused heavily on engaging voters who felt disillusioned by current political dynamics. His message resonated with a base that includes many working-class voters and those without college degrees, who have remained steadfast supporters throughout his political career.
The electoral success in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin was pivotal for Trump’s win. Pennsylvania, often seen as a swing state, delivered a significant number of electoral votes to Trump’s tally. Wisconsin’s results were also critical. He had narrowly lost the state in the 2020 election, but managed to flip it back in this electoral cycle.
Trump’s return to the presidency is historic. He becomes only the second president in U.S. history to be defeated in a re-election bid and then come back to win a non-consecutive second term, following Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century. This election marks his third attempt at the presidency, having initially won in 2016, lost in 2020, and now regained the office.
Amidst the election’s heated competition, Trump’s rallies were characterized by large turnouts and enthusiastic support, particularly in upper Midwest states. His campaign leveraged strong rhetoric and direct attacks on his opponent’s policies, appealing to voters’ frustrations with issues such as the economy, immigration, and crime.
For Vice President Kamala Harris, this election represented her first bid for the presidency. Though she received substantial support from various demographics, such as African American voters, women, and younger voters, it was not enough to secure a victory against Trump’s widespread Midwestern appeal.