Trump Triumphs in Historic Comeback, Defeating Harris to Secure Second Non-Consecutive Term

Agencies with inputs from AP and NBC, November 6, 2024, Washington : In an unprecedented political comeback, Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, securing a victory that defies the odds and historical precedent. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has secured a decisive victory in the 2024 presidential election, winning 279 electoral votes to defeat Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris, who garnered 224 electoral votes. With this win, Trump has firmly held his ground in critical swing states, which played a pivotal role in propelling him back to the White House.

Trump’s triumph marks the second time in recent history that a Republican president has been elected to a second term in office, following George W. Bush, who served from 2001 to 2009. The 2024 campaign was one of the most highly polarized in U.S. history, with Trump’s political career once again punctuated by controversy and intense public scrutiny.

Despite facing significant challenges, including two assassination attempts during the election cycle, Trump’s political resilience was on full display. At 78, he becomes the oldest person in U.S. history to win a second term, continuing a remarkable political journey that has seen him transition from a real estate tycoon and reality TV star to the nation’s first convicted felon to be re-elected to the presidency.

Trump’s victory represents a stunning comeback after his loss to Joe Biden in 2020, reinforcing his influence over the Republican Party and his unwavering appeal to a substantial portion of the American electorate. This election, with its stark contrasts and emotional intensity, cements Trump as an unstoppable force in American politics, as voters once again chose him to lead the country forward.The former president, who has weathered felony convictions, legal challenges, and even two assassination attempts, will return to the White House for a second, non-consecutive term — becoming only the second U.S. president to do so. His win marks a striking resurgence following his 2020 defeat, which was followed by a violent insurrection at the Capitol and ongoing legal battles.

Trump clinched the presidency by winning Wisconsin, a pivotal state that helped propel him to victory in 2016. Milwaukee, a Democratic stronghold, again played a critical role in his success. Though the city’s late vote tally initially narrowed his lead, it was not enough to offer Vice President Kamala Harris a path to victory. Despite strong efforts to protect reproductive rights in the campaign, Democrats faced significant losses, particularly in the Senate, leaving the party grappling with the fallout of a contentious election.

However, on the abortion front, Democrats did find some solace. Abortion rights advocates achieved significant victories in several states, most notably in Montana, where voters enshrined abortion rights until fetal viability in the state constitution, a safeguard against potential future rollbacks. Measures were also passed in six other states, reinforcing the nationwide debate on reproductive freedoms. On the flip side, voters in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota rejected attempts to introduce constitutional protections for abortion, further highlighting the nation's divided stance on the issue.

As the election results poured in, there was a sense of muted disappointment in Thulasendrapuram, a small village in southern India. The village, with strong ties to Vice President Kamala Harris’ maternal family, had rallied behind the Democratic nominee, hoping for her historic victory. Residents had gathered for prayers at a local temple, where Harris’ name is listed among the donors, and planned to celebrate with fireworks and sweets if she had won. But as the results began to settle, their optimism faded. The media spectacle that had once captivated the village quickly dwindled, and by early Wednesday morning, the streets of Thulasendrapuram were nearly empty.

Harris, who underperformed in several key battleground states, including those President Joe Biden had won in 2020, did not address her supporters after the race was called, leaving many of her followers disheartened. It was clear that despite her passionate campaign, the Democratic ticket had struggled to resonate with enough voters.

Meanwhile, some Democratic candidates did make history of their own. Angela Also Brooks became the first Black woman elected to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate, and Lisa Blunt Rochester was elected Delaware's first Black female senator — notable milestones that offered a glimmer of hope for the Democratic Party amid a difficult night.

In the financial markets, Trump's victory sent shockwaves of optimism through Wall Street. Stock futures surged, and the U.S. dollar posted its sharpest rally against other major currencies in two years. The so-called “Trump Trade” — a term that refers to investor confidence in the economic policies likely to be pursued by a second Trump presidency — was back in full force. The euro and British pound both dropped by over 1% against the dollar as traders adjusted to the electoral outcome.

Legal analysts, however, will be watching closely to see what happens with Trump’s extensive legal troubles. NBC News’ Danny Cevallos suggested that Trump’s legal cases at the federal level could be dismissed under a second Trump administration, especially if he appoints an attorney general loyal to him. “The federal cases are going to go away,” Cevallos predicted, adding that Trump could direct the Department of Justice to abandon ongoing appeals of dismissed cases.

Trump’s victory came after a campaign dominated by debates over issues like abortion, immigration, race, and gender. But polling data indicated that his win was less about polarizing issues and more about the broader frustration many Americans felt about the economy and the state of the nation. Voters’ dissatisfaction with their financial prospects and an overall sense of gloom about the country's direction drove many to seek a change in leadership.

For now, the United States faces the prospect of a second Trump presidency — one that will no doubt reshape the political landscape as it unfolds.