Former President Donald Trump is set to reclaim the highest office in the United States, marking a historic political comeback. In a tightly contested election, Trump, a Republican, is poised to garner at least 270 electoral votes, beating closest rival Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who managed to garner only 224 as of this writing. What can America and the world expect from a second Trump presidency?
By Franchesca L. Tuazon
A beaming Donald Trump addressed his supporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida as the 2024 US Elections drew to a close in the United States. “This is a magnificent victory for the American people, that will allow us to make America great again,” he said.
In the closing days of the 2024 presidential race, Trump spoke with Sean Hannity in an interview from his home in Mar-a-Lago, where he outlined his vision for second term. Reflecting on his experience in Washington, he remarked that he now knows “the good, the strong, the weak, the stupid” in the capital, implying that his return would bring a more targeted and efficient approach to leadership.
The journey back to the presidency was not without obstacles for the Republican, who lost to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Aside from facing off against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump also survived an assassination attempt, where he reportedly suffered a 2 cm-wide gunshot wound in the right ear from a high-powered rifle last July.
Victory over Harris
Shortly after the attempt on Trump, Biden ended his reelection bid. Harris embraced the role of the Democratic nominee, focusing on policies like climate action, healthcare reform, women’s reproductive rights and social justice.
However, Trump, who showed himself as a voice for traditional values, used a powerful message of national pride and economic revival. According to online sources, his rallies drew massive crowds, with supporters resonating with his promises of a “revived American Dream” and a fortified economy. Trump, on numerous occasions, also played on people’s fears regarding supposed unchecked illegal immigration along America’s southern border and the supposed lawlessness resulting from it.
Harris’ campaign gained traction, but Trump’s strategy of tapping into economic concerns and national pride seemed to resonate more broadly with Americans, especially those living in rural areas and the so-called American heartland.
The assassination attempt
One of the most distressing events of Trump’s campaign was an assassination attempt on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, which killed one rallygoer and wounded two others. Trump was shot in the ear before being hustled off the stage.
Trump, however, displayed his trademark resilience. After a brief pause in his campaign, he returned to the stage with renewed determination, framing the incident as a testament to the dangers of political division.
“Our movement to make America great again stands stronger, prouder, more united, more determined and nearer to victory than ever before,” Trump told supporters in Butler during a rally. In the end he was gifted with a decisive win in Pennsylvania, the biggest swing state up for grabs with 19 electoral votes.
Trump’s path to a second term
As Donald Trump re-enters the White House, his administration faces both familiar and new challenges. While his supporters see his experience as an asset for addressing pressing issues like the economy, immigration and foreign policy, his critics remain skeptical about his polarizing style, current lawsuits and past controversies.
With a clearer understanding of Washington’s landscape, Trump, in the same interview with Hannity, said his approach will likely differ though the direction he plans to set will undoubtedly shape the political landscape for years to come. As America prepares for another four years under his leadership, the nation remains as divided as ever, bracing for what comes next.
“I will not rest until we deliver the strong, safe and prosperous America that your children deserve,” Trump said during a speech in West Palm Beach, Florida, before he was officially declared president-elect, thanking his supporters and promising them the “golden age of America.”
