Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, overcoming challenges such as unfavorable polls, ongoing legal battles, and other obstacles during his two-year campaign. His victory follows a contentious race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, marked by debates over issues like abortion, immigration, and divisive topics such as race and gender. However, according to polls, Trump’s success can be attributed to more pragmatic, widespread concerns—particularly voter dissatisfaction with the economy, personal finances, and the overall state of the nation, which spurred a desire for change.
Here are 11 key factors that helped Trump secure the election.
Inflation and high cost of groceries
Under the Biden administration, inflation has surged, rising 20.1% over his first 45 months, in contrast to a 7.1% increase over Trump’s first term, according to government data. This reflects annualized inflation rates of 5.4% under Biden compared to 1.9% during Trump’s term. While year-over-year inflation reached a 40-year high of 9% in 2022, it has since dropped to around 3%, with Biden attributing these pressures to factors like COVID-19’s economic impact and the Russia-Ukraine war.
As the U.S. election campaign came to a close, Donald Trump pledged to “end inflation” and restore the American dream. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, he promised, “With your vote on Tuesday, I will end inflation, halt the influx of criminals into our country, and revive the American dream stronger than ever. Kamala and Joe have broken it, but we will fix it quickly.”
Delay in Joe Biden exit
After weeks of mounting criticism and scrutiny, US President Joe Biden finally announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, marking a delayed exit that came only after intense pressure from within his own party.
No incumbent president has ever dropped out so close to Election Day. The announcement followed nearly a month of rising questions about his health and political standing, sparked by a weak performance in the June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump. Despite the growing calls for his departure, Biden initially resisted, holding firm in the face of criticism and choosing to stay in the race as long as possible.
Stronger Republican voter turnout favors Trump
Republicans have captured a larger portion of the pre-election vote compared to 2020. The Trump campaign, focusing on early and mail-in voting this year, has shifted its strategy significantly from its 2020 stance, when it discouraged pre-election voting.
In 27 states tracked by Catalist, registered Democrats accounted for 37% of pre-election ballots, while Republicans make up 35%. This reflects a noticeable narrowing of the gap from 2020, when Democrats led by 12 percentage points (42% to Republicans’ 30%) at this same stage.
In four of the seven key battleground states where voters register by party affiliation, Republicans increased their share of pre-election votes compared to this point four years ago, while Democrats have seen their share decline.
In Arizona, 41% of pre-election voters were Republicans, a 4-point gain from 2020, while Democrats have dropped to 33%, 3 points lower than four years ago.
Keeping family at arms length
Former President Donald Trump has notably maintained some distance between his family and his 2024 presidential campaign, particularly regarding his wife, Melania. She was absent from campaign events and Trump’s multiple court trials.
Recently, Melania was seen at Mar-a-Lago on Easter Sunday with their son, Barron, as the family gathered for brunch. When asked if she would join her husband on the campaign trail for the November 2024 election, she simply replied, “Stay tuned.”
Trump noted that it’s a matter of preference and practicality. “She’s a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much,” he explained in a September interview on Meet the Press. He reiterated that Melania “doesn’t need to be out there,” suggesting that keeping her away from the campaign spotlight is intentional. He even acknowledged that it was largely his decision, adding, “It’s so nasty and so mean” — indicating that he wanted to shield her from the harshness of political life.
Patriarchal sections of society still unable to digest a female president
The United States, despite its progress, continues to grapple with the deeply rooted influence of patriarchy, especially when it comes to electing women to the highest office. This systemic bias has hindered women, particularly women of color like Vice President Kamala Harris, from achieving fair representation in presidential leadership. As MSNBC host Joy Reid pointed out, Harris’s loss in North Carolina was driven in part by a significant gender gap and the failure of many white women voters to support her, highlighting how cultural norms and entrenched power dynamics still influence electoral outcomes. The persistence of this patriarchal framework means that women—who make up more than half of the population—are still waiting to see one of their own lead the nation as President.
Increase in Trump support from Indian Americans
Over the decades, millions of Indians have migrated to the United States, achieving remarkable success, especially in business and technology. Known as a “model minority” due to their high levels of education, economic prosperity, and significant contributions to sectors driving American innovation, Indian-Americans have now taken on a new role in U.S. politics. This election season, they are increasingly seen as an influential voting bloc with the potential to shape the presidential race.
Traditionally, Indian-Americans have favored the Democratic Party. In the 2020 election, 68 percent supported Joe Biden, compared to 22 percent for Donald Trump. However, recent surveys indicate a shift, with around 60 percent now leaning Democratic and 31 percent supporting Trump—a notable gain for Republicans in a community that has historically leaned blue.
X& Truth social undercutting mainstream media favouring Kamala
Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) and Donald Trump’s social media presence played a significant role in undermining mainstream media narratives that favored Kamala Harris. Both Musk and Trump used their platforms to challenge traditional media outlets, often framing them as biased or part of a broader political agenda. Musk’s X, with its emphasis on free speech and less moderation, became a space where users could openly critique Harris, the Democratic establishment, and media narratives that portrayed her in a positive light. Trump, known for his combative and populist style, also capitalized on social media to bypass traditional news channels and rally his base with a more direct, unfiltered approach. This dynamic created a counter-narrative to the mainstream media’s favorable coverage of Harris, shifting public discourse and amplifying skepticism toward media portrayals of political figures, especially those aligned with the Democratic Party. As a result, both Musk’s X and Trump’s social media activities contributed to a more fragmented and polarized media landscape, where alternative viewpoints and critiques could gain traction outside of conventional news outlets.
Less infighting within Republican Party helps Trump
A key factor in Trump’s recent victory was the relative unity within the Republican Party. Unlike previous elections where internal conflicts and divisions affected party cohesion, this time the GOP maintained a focused front, minimizing infighting and rallying around Trump as their candidate. This unity enabled a more coordinated campaign effort, allowing Republicans to concentrate on key voter issues and effectively counter Democratic opposition.
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