Former President Donald Trump and incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris faced battle in what turned out to be one of the most carefully watched and controversial presidential elections in American history in 2024. The contest drew the interest of people both domestically and abroad. Since each contender had a different outlook on America's future, the stakes were high for both. Ultimately, the election marked a turning point in American politics and had tremendous ramifications for the future of the nation.
A Quick Background: Donald Trump
There is no need to introduce Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States. Trump is still a powerful force in the Republican Party, despite his contentious policies, extravagant lifestyle, and unconventional style of leadership. Trump remained in control of the Republican base and contested the validity of the election results for the next few years after losing to Joe Biden in 2020. A fiercely divided contest was anticipated as a result of his decision to run again in 2024.
The foundation of Trump's 2024 campaign was his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) platform, which emphasised conservative principles, economic nationalism, and border security. Trump maintained his position as the leader of the Republican Party in spite of his legal issues, which included numerous litigation pertaining to his business and enquiries about his involvement in the Capitol riots on January 6. Fierce rallies, a robust social media presence, and a readiness to take on the establishment were hallmarks of his campaign.
Kamala Harris: The Incumbent Vice President
Another trailblazer was Kamala Harris, the first South Asian American, Black, and female vice president of the United States. She became a key player in the Biden administration by 2024 after a historic journey to the vice presidency. Alongside President Joe Biden, Harris ran for reelection in 2024, but the race was presented as a test of her leadership, particularly since she was positioned as the Democratic Party's most likely nominee in the event that Biden decided not to run.
Harris's campaign centred on building on the achievements of the Biden administration, such as post-pandemic economic recovery, healthcare reforms, and climate change mitigation. She also significantly emphasised diversity, inclusivity, and justice reform in her role as the first female vice president. While her critics frequently criticised her for failing to establish herself as a powerful national leader, particularly after some initial difficulties as vice president, her fans commended her for shattering stereotypes.
Key Campaign Events and Turning Points
Donald Trump's Campaign Trail
1. Legal Difficulties and Issues: Trump's legal disputes were a major concern during the campaign. The former president was charged with a number of offences pertaining to the aftermath of the 2020 election and commercial transactions that were being looked into. With Trump portraying himself as the victim of a "witch hunt" planned by the political establishment, these problems appeared to energise his base. One of the campaign's core themes was his capacity to stay relevant in spite of legal issues.
2. Rallies and Media Presence: Trump's rallies drew thousands of fans and were as contentious and exuberant as ever. Conservative voters found his combative rhetoric on immigration, the economy, and "law and order" particularly appealing, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. He persisted in using websites like Truth Social to speak with his fans directly and get around conventional media channels.
3. Swing State Strategy: Trump's team put forth a lot of effort in battleground states, concentrating on growing his coalition from 2016 and regaining important states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona that he lost in 2020. His strategy relied heavily on his ability to win over working-class voters in these states.
BREAKING: Donald J. Trump wins the 2024 US election making him the 47th President of the United States America.
— NBS Television (@nbstv) November 6, 2024
📸 Courtesy #NBSUpdates pic.twitter.com/MO7fia2FBU
Kamala Harris's Campaign Strategy
1. Highlighting the Biden Administration's Accomplishments: The Biden administration's accomplishments, such as the American Rescue Plan's passage and the economy's recovery from the pandemic, served as the foundation for Harris' campaign. She also put a lot of effort into winning legislative successes, such as the expansion of child tax credits and the infrastructure bill.
2. Crisis Management and international Policy: Harris's most prominent responsibilities as vice president included managing international policy, especially following the tumultuous U.S. exit from Afghanistan in 2021. Despite the widespread criticism of the disengagement, Harris' campaign attempted to shift course by emphasising America's leadership in tackling global issues including international security and climate change. The U.S.-China relationship and Harris's contribution to fortifying global alliances also received more prominence throughout the 2024 campaign.
3. Emphasising Inclusion and Diversity: Harris used her own identity as a sign of progress in her role as a trailblazing vice president. Her campaign prioritised racial fairness, civil rights expansion, and policies that supported minority and working-class communities. She persisted in advocating for police accountability, healthcare reforms, and reproductive rights—all of which struck a chord with many progressive voters.
We must accept the results of this election.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 6, 2024
Earlier today, I spoke with President Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I told him that we will help him and his team with that transition, and we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.
State-by-State Performance in the 2024 Election
Both Trump and Harris crafted their campaigns to attract to voters in the crucial swing states where the 2024 race was characterised by fierce rivalry.
1. Florida: Florida was a crucial state for both candidates, and Trump strengthened his support there by winning the state by a 3-5% edge. He was able to hold onto his advantage because to his support from older conservative voters and Cuban-Americans. Harris found it difficult to inspire the state's Hispanic electorate, particularly in the wake of the immigration and education scandals.
2. Michigan and Pennsylvania: These Rust Belt states served as a battlefield once more, with Trump gaining ground in Pennsylvania and Harris scoring a slim victory in Michigan. These industrial heartlands responded well to Trump's message of employment and economic revival, while Harris was able to hold onto Michigan thanks to her emphasis on climate change and union support.
3. Arizona: Despite going blue in 2020, Arizona maintained its competitiveness. Trump put a lot of effort into regaining the state by appealing to suburban voters and leveraging his hardline immigration policies. By advancing her healthcare reform plans and retaining her relationship with Latino voters, Harris was able to hold onto Arizona.
4. Texas: A key component of Trump's 2024 agenda, Texas was a state where he had resounding support. Conservative supporters responded favourably to his positions on immigration and law enforcement, which helped him win a sizable victory here.
5. California and New York: Harris won California by a wide margin, and both states, which are firmly blue, had high voter turnout. New York also favoured Harris because of the state's urban centres and her emphasis on justice reform and economic injustice.
Final Thoughts: The Path Forward
In the end, the U.S. election of 2024 served as a sobering reminder of the nation's profound political divisions. Although Kamala Harris's attempts to expand the Democratic coalition were effective in a number of crucial battlegrounds, Donald Trump's devoted supporters remained. Harris's campaign centred on outlining a course for the future with progressive policies and the prospect of ongoing societal advancement, while Trump's impact from his first term continued to influence the discussion.
As the dust settled, it became evident that the outcome of the 2024 election would be recognised for the ongoing change in American politics in the twenty-first century as well as the confrontation between two extremely divisive characters. The question that ultimately determined the election's outcome was whether the country was prepared for a second Trump administration or a fresh vision under Kamala Harris.
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