Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the United States presidential 2024 November 5th election. His victory over Kamala Harris marks a significant political comeback that is anticipated to reverberate globally.
The polarizing Republican's triumph, resulting from one of the most contentious electoral campaigns in contemporary American history, is particularly notable given his recent criminal conviction, a narrowly averted assassination attempt, and admonitions from a former chief of staff labeling him a "fascist."
“It is a political victory unlike any our nation has encountered before,” Trump stated at a victory celebration in Florida.
Vice President Harris, who entered the electoral race in July after President Joe Biden's decision not to seek re-election, conducted a centrist campaign that emphasized Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and the use of overtly racist and sexist language.
However, Trump’s dire warnings regarding immigration and his advocacy for isolationist policies resonated with voters who have been adversely affected by the post-Covid economic landscape and are seeking a departure from the Biden administration's policies.
Despite indications that the election would be closely contested, results were reported with surprising rapidity, resulting in a decisive victory that included key wins in swing states such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Trump is the first individual in over a century to secure a non-consecutive second term in office. Furthermore, he is the only person elected while holding a criminal conviction — he is scheduled for sentencing in a New York court for fraud on November 26.
At the age of 78, Trump is poised to set a record as the oldest sitting president during his term, surpassing Biden, who will officially step down in January at the age of 82.
Impact on Foreign Policy
The United States dollar experienced an increase, and Bitcoin reached a new all-time high, while most equity markets advanced, driven by trader optimism regarding a Trump victory as the results unfolded.
Nevertheless, potential turmoil may lie ahead. Trump’s election promises significant policy shifts, not only domestically but also internationally, as his unrestrained isolationist and nationalist “America First” ideology is expected to yield substantial repercussions.
He has repeatedly indicated that he would seek to end the conflict in Ukraine by urging Kyiv to make territorial concessions to Russia. Furthermore, his threats of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants have sparked substantial concern throughout Latin America.
Trump returns to the White House as a skeptic of climate change, likely poised to dismantle Biden’s environmental policies, thereby jeopardizing global initiatives aimed at addressing human-induced climate change.
Even before the full confirmation of Trump’s victory, international leaders promptly extended their congratulations, including long-time allies such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his hopes that Trump’s “impressive victory” might facilitate a “just peace” for his country, notwithstanding the anticipated decrease in U.S. military assistance following Biden's departure. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed optimism that Trump, who has often criticized the U.S.-led alliance, would contribute to its strengthening.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, who pledged to collaborate with Trump "with respect and ambition," were among the many leaders who offered their well wishes.
Showman’s Instinct
Despite the ominous promises of political retribution against adversaries at home and criticisms directed towards long-standing allies abroad, Trump remains notoriously unpredictable in aligning his rhetoric with actual policies.
His campaign rallies, characterized by expressions of grievance, insults, and misinformation, often featured extreme rhetoric. Yet, he benefited from favorable media coverage due to viral moments that showcased his everyman appeal and showmanship, including a notable visit to a McDonald's drive-thru and an unscripted press conference held from a garbage truck.
He campaigned on platforms involving tax cuts, deregulation, and the most significant increase in import tariffs in nearly a century, aimed at stimulating growth and enhancing manufacturing, despite warnings regarding potential trade conflicts and higher consumer prices in the United States.
Trump’s mainstream messaging frequently faced overshadowing by his tendency for coarse language and violent imagery. Nevertheless, his combative approach resonated with his steadfast base, who perceived him as an outsider in Washington.
He also garnered support through his stringent anti-immigration stance and his outreach to working-class voters adversely impacted by inflation arising from the Covid pandemic.
When Harris entered the race in July to succeed Biden, she initially managed to significantly narrow the considerable gap Trump had established over the president in polling. Her message of unity, emphasis on abortion rights, and warnings about the threats posed by Trump to democracy appeared to resonate with the electorate, as evidenced by a substantial surge in fundraising that exceeded her rival’s financial resources.
Ultimately, however, she fell short of achieving a historic milestone as the first Black woman elected to the White House.