Donald Trump’s historic victory in the U.S. presidential election speaks volumes. It shows that the highly anticipated close race was not as competitive as expected. Trump improved on his 2020 performance, while Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris couldn’t even match Biden’s performance from the previous election. Trump made a remarkable political comeback, securing a second term. His path to victory began when he won back Georgia, a state he narrowly lost in 2020. His win in North Carolina sealed Harris’s defeat. In key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada, Harris failed to perform well, which were crucial for her victory. Unlike his 2016 victory, Trump also won the popular vote this time, a feat the Republican Party hadn’t achieved since 1992. Naturally, Trump called his victory extraordinary, telling his supporters, “America has given an unprecedented and strong mandate.”
Four years ago, Trump left Washington under very uncomfortable circumstances. Since Grover Cleveland in 1892, he is the first president to be elected after a four-year gap, making history in this regard as well. Given the legal troubles, two impeachments, and a low approval rating of around 40% during his first term, Trump’s return cannot be understated. It is a significant achievement.
This election in U.S. history was extraordinary, with Trump facing two assassination attempts and a criminal trial, while the Democratic Party, in the final stretch, chose Kamala Harris instead of Joe Biden as their candidate. The campaign saw the lowest level of debate and taunting, and political polarization reached its peak. Despite this, the Republican Party performed exceptionally well. Not only did it win the presidential election, but it also gained control of the U.S. Senate and is likely to maintain its dominance in the House of Representatives. This would mean there would be no legislative obstruction to Trump’s agenda.
Trump’s victory was wide-ranging, and many Republicans in both chambers benefited from his support. He has reshaped the party’s image and its stars. The stakes for both sides in this election were so high that they left no stone unturned in mobilizing voters. As a result, this was the highest voter turnout in modern American history. The election also broke several taboos. For instance, it was expected that Harris would receive strong support from women, but the actual result didn’t align with this expectation. Although exit polls showed that most women voted for her, she couldn’t match the 57% of women’s votes that Biden received in 2020. It was also surprising that a third of Black, Latino, and Asian American voters supported Trump, while support among white voters showed only a slight decline.
This shift in voter preferences also reveals new demographic realities in America. Over recent years, this has changed the dynamics of American politics, and the support base of both parties is visibly affected. The Republican Party is gaining ground among blue-collar workers and low-income voters, while the Democrats are increasingly dependent on educated youth and higher-income groups. The Democratic Party no longer appears to be the same as it once was. This election also showed that the Democrats have stopped representing the voices of most Americans and have no plan to expand their base. Essentially, they have become a party of Hollywood celebrities with no real connection to the general public. In contrast, Trump’s campaign was well-organized, and he effectively capitalized on Biden-Harris administration’s shortcomings.
Trump made rising inflation, the growing influx of foreigners at the southern border, and global instability key issues. Harris attempted to distance herself from Biden’s failures but was unsuccessful. On immigration, trade, cultural issues, and foreign policy, Harris and Trump had opposing views, with American voters leaning in favor of Trump. In his first term, Trump had dramatically changed the equation of U.S. involvement globally, both on economic and strategic fronts. Recent exit polls revealed that only 4% of U.S. voters were concerned about foreign policy, despite ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, highlighting America’s inward turn. This shift has significant implications in global terms. Given India’s favorable position, there are promising opportunities for New Delhi to align better with the changing American strategic priorities. A strong partnership with the U.S. is central to contemporary Indian foreign policy, and India will need to adapt to changes in U.S. domestic politics. Trump’s overwhelming victory in 2024 underscores that his 2016 win was not a fluke and signals broader changes in U.S. participation with the rest of the world. Trump’s win will have significant consequences not just for the U.S. but for the world as well.
