Republican candidate Donald Trump has declared victory in the 2024 US presidential election after Fox News projected he had defeated Democrat Kamala Harris. This victory marks an extraordinary political comeback for Trump, who had left the White House four years ago.
Speaking to a packed crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump told supporters, “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.” His declaration came early on Wednesday, as he appeared to secure victory by winning crucial battleground states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Harris’ Campaign Response
Despite Trump’s early claims, several news outlets had yet to call the race in his favour. Harris, who was holding her campaign event at Howard University, did not address her supporters immediately. Cedric Richmond, a co-chair of her campaign, assured the crowd that they would wait for the final results and that Harris would speak publicly on Wednesday.
Trump's Strong Nationwide Performance
Trump’s performance across the country showed significant gains from the 2020 election. He saw improved support in rural areas, urban centres, and among Hispanic voters traditionally a Democratic stronghold. According to exit polls, Trump made notable strides among Hispanic voters, securing 45% of their support, up from 32% in 2020.
A key issue in the election was the economy. With many voters feeling the pinch of rising prices, 31% of voters cited the economy as their top concern. Trump won a decisive 79% of this group, as voters pointed to worsening economic conditions since 2020. Around 45% of voters said their financial situation was worse than four years ago, and they overwhelmingly favoured Trump.
In addition to the presidential race, Republicans won control of the US Senate by flipping key Democratic seats in West Virginia and Ohio. However, the fight for control of the House of Representatives remained tight, with Republicans holding a narrow majority.
Uncertain Future for Harris
Harris, who had hoped to become the first female, Black, and South Asian American president, had a significant lead in urban areas but saw a dip in support compared to President Joe Biden’s 2020 performance. Exit polls indicated that nearly 75% of voters felt American democracy was under threat, reflecting the deep polarization in the country.
Trump's Rhetoric and Election Integrity Concerns
Throughout the campaign, Trump raised concerns about election integrity. He again claimed, without evidence, that there was widespread voter fraud in cities like Philadelphia and Detroit. These claims have been widely debunked by election officials.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
