Donald Trump has reclaimed the U.S. presidency in a shocking political comeback, defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and becoming the 47th president.
NBC News announced Trump’s victory over Harris early Wednesday, marking his return to the White House after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden.
Trump, who served as the 45th president, now makes history as the first U.S. president in 132 years to serve two nonconsecutive terms, following in the footsteps of Grover Cleveland.
At 78, Trump also becomes the oldest individual to win a U.S. presidential election, achieving an unprecedented comeback that stunned the nation.
“This was the greatest political movement of all time,” Trump declared to a crowd of ecstatic supporters at a rally in West Palm Beach, Florida, around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
“Now it’s going to reach a new level of importance because we’re going to help our country heal,” he added.
The result blocks what would have been a historic first for Harris as she sought to become the first female president of the United States.
For Harris, the loss was bittersweet, having risen as the first woman of color nominated for the presidency by a major party.
She took over the Democratic campaign after President Joe Biden, her running mate in 2020, decided against seeking a second term.
The vice president is expected to formally concede in an address to the nation later today.
“Trump’s Path Back to Power”
Trump’s journey back to the White House was no easy feat.
The former president ran an intense campaign, focusing on battleground states that had flipped to Biden in 2020, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Wisconsin.
These states were key to Trump’s electoral victory, giving him a solid path to an Electoral College win over Harris.
Trump’s campaign was unlike any other in modern American history, defined by a series of unprecedented obstacles.
He faced multiple indictments, a criminal conviction, and a verdict holding him liable for sexual abuse.
Adding to his challenges, he survived an assassination attempt in July during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In a dramatic moment that became a symbol of his campaign, Trump was grazed by a bullet during the rally but defiantly rose to his feet, fist raised, shouting, “Fight, Fight, Fight!”
This moment became the closing statement in his final campaign ads, emphasizing his resilience in the face of adversity.
“A Controversial Agenda for a Second Term”
With his return to the presidency, Trump is set to implement a bold, divisive agenda that has stirred both support and controversy.
He has promised sweeping tax cuts, large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants, and major changes in foreign policy, particularly regarding tariffs on imports.
Mainstream economists have warned that his proposed tariffs, intended to protect American industries, may lead to higher consumer prices.
Trump has dismissed these warnings, asserting that the tariffs will boost U.S. revenues, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and deter foreign competition.
Additionally, Trump has vowed to pardon those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, a move that has sparked further debate about his approach to justice and rule of law.
He also plans to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, to lead health policy.
In a surprising twist, Trump has hinted at bringing on Tesla CEO Elon Musk to advise on reducing government spending.
Political analysts say these promises have fueled excitement among his supporters but have raised concerns among Democrats and many moderate voters.
“What he’s proposing is radical and risky,” said one political analyst. “But his supporters see him as a leader who will stop at nothing to fulfill his campaign promises.”
“Sen. JD Vance Rises as Trump’s Running Mate”
A significant figure in Trump’s victory is his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who was only elected to the Senate two years ago.
At 40, Vance is a former critic turned loyal advocate of Trump’s populist movement.
Now, Vance stands first in the presidential line of succession, marking a meteoric rise in American politics.
For Vance, this role cements his transformation from outspoken Trump critic to one of the president’s closest allies.
His loyalty to Trump’s agenda, particularly on issues of immigration and economic nationalism, has made him a central figure in the administration’s second-term plans.
“A Nation Divided”
Trump’s win brings him back to lead a nation divided along social, racial, and economic lines.
Over the years, Trump has fueled deep partisan tensions on the campaign trail, a strategy that many credit for his success.
His return to office, however, raises questions about how he will bridge the deep rifts that have only grown wider since his last term.
Trump’s critics argue that his policies have inflamed divisions, while his supporters see him as a force for change in a system they view as corrupt.
“It’s about America first,” Trump told his supporters at the rally, promising a renewed focus on the American economy and national security.
But critics worry that his confrontational style will further exacerbate America’s social and political divides.
