Key Takeaways:
-Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election due to a rise in popularity among rural, suburban, and first-time voters.
-Voters backed Trump even knowing his past controversies, demonstrating a shift in the U.S. political landscape.
-Many attribute Trump’s comeback in part to the economic turmoil triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Trump’s victory is causing worry due to possible harmful implications for minority groups.
Donald Trump has scored a victory in the 2024 presidential election, stunning millions of Americans. Unlike his 2016 win, his latest triumph was not seen as a fluke. This time Trump had a lead in the popular vote, showcasing a significant change in the U.S. political landscape.
Raised Popularity Among Rural and Suburban Voters
Unlike the previous election, Trump’s celebrity status or the Clinton email scandal did not lead his victory. In fact, after serving a term as President, Trump was no new face to the political arena. This allowed citizens to understand his political stances better, eliminating any scope for ambiguity.
Trump expanded his voter base in rural areas while making sufficient inroads into suburban and urban counties. It is evident that his appeal was broader than it was six years ago. This substantial expansion of his positions in key demographic al areas ultimately enabled him to secure the presidency.
Increased Support from Minority Voters
Interestingly, exit polls indicate an increased support base from Black and Latino voters, especially Latino men. Although it’s crucial to approach these polls with skepticism, they hint at a specific trend. Impressively, the former president seemed to have gathered a large chunk of the youth vote as well as first-time voters.
Trump’s Persistent Core Base
Trump’s initial base relentlessly stayed with him in the years following his first term. Many of these believers continued to view Democrats as the election manipulators, an image Trump successfully cultivated. Their unwavering faith in Trump continued even when his actions, such as the attempt to overturn elections or the January 6th incident, shocked the nation.
Economic Uncertainty and the Rise of Trump
However, we cannot ignore how the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world’s economic equilibrium. Despite President Biden’s significant achievements in rebuilding the economy, the tsunami of inflation hit many Americans hard. This economic shock divided voters on education and income lines, making them vulnerable to Trump’s promise of a better future.
Many voters, particularly the younger ones who didn’t follow national news under Trump’s rule, demonstrated a lack of understanding about the functioning of the economy and the impacts of COVID-19. An exploited innocence about those impacts along with a sense of nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy under Trump’s administration, helped push Trump to victory.
Fear of Consequences
Despite the anger and outrage felt by millions at Trump’s victory, the focus now is to protect those vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of Trump’s policies. His track record of imposing tariffs on foreign goods could potentially cause prices to rise dramatically, causing hardship for many.
Long-standing concerns about Trump’s approach to human rights, particularly for minority groups, are resurfacing. They fear a renewed assault on their rights as his previous term had given glimpses of discrimination against Muslims, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color.
In the face of this adversity, it’s crucial for pro-democracy advocates to organize and fight for their rights. The task at hand is significant, and the fight will be tough. But as evidenced by those who tirelessly worked for a democratic future, the determination to strive for a fair and inclusive America remains strong.