Donald Trump has made history once again, securing the title of the 47th President of the United States. After losing to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, Trump has reclaimed the presidency in 2024, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. In doing so, Trump has not only returned to the White House but has also set several remarkable firsts in American political history.
1. A Return to the Oval Office: Two Non-Consecutive Terms
Trump’s victory in 2024 marks a significant milestone in U.S. presidential history. When he is sworn in on January 20, he will become the first incumbent president to serve two non-consecutive terms since 1897. The only other president to achieve this feat was Grover Cleveland, who served two non-consecutive terms as the 22nd and 24th president, from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897.
This unique position is made even more notable by the fact that the U.S. Constitution limits presidents to two terms in office. Although it does not specify that these terms must be consecutive, Trump’s return to power after a four-year gap marks a rare and historic event in American politics.
2. A Republican First: More Popular Votes Than His Challenger
Another milestone in Trump’s victory is that he will become the first Republican in 20 years to win more popular votes than his opponent. In the 2024 election, Trump garnered a larger share of the popular vote compared to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate. This achievement mirrors a similar victory by President George W. Bush in 2004, when he won 62,040,610 popular votes and 286 electoral votes against John Kerry, who secured 59,028,444 popular votes and 251 electoral votes.
This marks a remarkable reversal from the 2020 election, in which Trump lost the popular vote to Joe Biden, underscoring the dynamic nature of U.S. elections and the shifting political landscape in 2024.
3. The First President to Face Impeachment While in Office
Trump will also make history as the first U.S. president to have faced impeachment proceedings during his time in office. While many presidents have faced political controversies, none have been formally impeached twice, as Trump was.
The first impeachment took place in 2019 after allegations that Trump had sought foreign help, specifically from Ukraine, to boost his chances for re-election. The second impeachment followed the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, when Trump was accused of inciting an insurrection after his supporters stormed the Capitol building.
In both instances, Trump was acquitted by the Senate, but his impeachments remain a permanent part of his legacy, making him a controversial figure in American politics.
4. A President Facing Legal Indictment: Trump’s Criminal Charges
In addition to his impeachment proceedings, Trump will also be the first president to serve while facing legal charges. This unprecedented situation stems from a conviction in May 2024, where Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business documents related to a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payment was allegedly made to silence Daniels about an affair she claimed to have had with Trump before the 2016 election.
Trump’s legal troubles have sparked national debate, and his sentencing, scheduled for November 26, 2024, will mark another defining moment in his presidency. While legal experts remain divided on the potential impact of these charges, they represent a dramatic turn in the legal and political landscape of American governance.
5. The Road Ahead: Uncharted Territory for Trump and the Nation
With his re-election, Trump finds himself not only in a position of power but also in uncharted legal and political territory. The unprecedented combination of facing criminal charges, having been impeached twice, and securing a non-consecutive second term in office, presents a host of challenges for both Trump and the country as a whole.
As the nation watches closely, Trump’s leadership in the coming years will likely be shaped by ongoing legal battles and attempts to reconcile the divisions that have marked his political career. His presidency is poised to break new ground in ways that could have lasting impacts on American political and legal systems.
For Trump, the coming years will likely define his legacy in ways that extend far beyond the Oval Office. Whether or not he will navigate these unprecedented challenges remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his return to the White House will be historic and controversial.
