On November 5, 2024, the US saw a historic electoral result: former President Donald Trump regained the White House, beating Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump is the second president in U.S. history to serve nonconsecutive terms, a feat accomplished last by Grover Cleveland in 1893. This result marks a big change in American politics, changing the economy, foreign policy, and domestic agendas. Several of the battleground states decided the election in 2024, much as in past years.
Each of those key states — Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan — flipped in Trump’s favor, helping him surpass the 270 electoral vote threshold.
Traditionally Democratic strongholds, these states saw big changes in the voter demographics and turnout. Trump’s campaign successfully captured rural voters, while also winning over suburban and Latino communities in the Midwest. It’s a sign of a complex voter landscape and an area where the Democratic campaign struggled to hold onto its advantage.
After a close count in Pennsylvania, Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election and extended her congratulations to President-elect Trump, saying a peaceful transition of power is the hallmark of our democracy. By contrast, Trump’s campaign was robust in rural districts and many coastal states, but it lost ground to Harris’ broader national appeal, particularly among voters worried about economic and border security issues.
Republicans also won the presidential victory, played to regain control of the Senate, and pushed their advantage in the House of Representatives. Now Trump’s legislative agenda will be shaped by this Republican-led Congress over the next four years. That allowed the GOP to secure crucial Senate seats in states like West Virginia and Ohio to give the party a majority that could speed through Trump’s legislative agenda and allow for more streamlined confirmation of judicial and executive appointments.
If this is a congressional majority, that could mean a stronger push for conservative policies on immigration, healthcare, and the economy. But the GOP’s congressional victories also point to a broader national turn towards conservatism on issues such as the economy and social issues that have been flashpoints in recent years. Trump’s platform still pivots around the economy; he wants to cut taxes, reduce regulations, and back small businesses.
Trump had promised to pursue a wide range of economic initiatives aimed at creating more job opportunities, particularly in manufacturing and energy, in his campaign. His “America First” economic policies focus on domestic production and reducing the U.S. reliance on foreign resources. Stock markets rallied after the election, as investors anticipated tax cuts and rollbacks in regulations. It’s a broader optimism about Trump’s pro-business approach, a throwback to his first administration. It could spur the growth of sectors like energy, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing with the prospect of reduced corporate taxes, a focus on fossil fuel production, and less federal oversight. However, critics say that these policies could add to the national debt and help big corporations and high-income households more than they help the poor, raising the question of whether the policies will lead to persistent economic inequality.
There have been international reactions to Trump’s victory. Israel and Saudi Arabia, two allies, were excited about strong bilateral ties. But other countries, notably in Europe, responded with caution, citing Trump’s unpredictability and past tiff over trade and defense spending. All this could also affect global economic dynamics: Trump has promised to impose stricter trade regulations on Chinese goods and to counter what he calls ‘unfair trade practices.’A second Trump term could see additional withdrawal from global bodies, in favor of more direct talks on trade and security, the analysts forecast.
Such steps could reshape the U.S. role on the world stage, with the potential to strain traditional alliances and deepen ties with countries that share his administration’s policies. Trump's platform continues to support immigration, with his administration vowing to increase border security, expand deportation policies, and continue work on his border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Physical border enhancements are just part of Trump’s immigration plan, which also includes tougher policies for legal immigration, H-1B visas, asylum applications, and chain migration. Also, he has promised to introduce merit-based immigration policies, which would favor people with particular skills that will be beneficial to the U.S. economy.
The possibility of changing what’s known as 'birthright citizenship,' which gives any child born on American soil U.S. citizenship, could be a hot issue in the years ahead. While this policy shift would be difficult to enact legally, it would have far-reaching implications for immigration law and civil rights affecting families and communities all across the country.
Trump’s administration may also try and reshape federal involvement in domestic policies such as healthcare and education. The concept of healthcare reform is still a very complex one, and Trump wants to lower the prices of drugs, increase transparency, and expand health savings accounts (HSAs). Republicans still oppose the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and a full repeal is still unlikely unless Republicans gain a larger congressional majority. Instead, healthcare costs are cut, privatization increases and alternatives are offered to those who are not satisfied with the existing systems. There, Trump supports school choice and the expansion of charter schools, but he promotes competition in public education. He's also said he'd oppose critical race theory and other diversity programs in schools and will limit what he calls 'political indoctrination.'
This could lead to debate about the role of government in education, as federal incentives or restrictions could encourage states to adopt more conservative educational frameworks. Trump’s administration will also take up social issues. In particular, he has stood firm on freedom of speech when it comes to social media platforms that have restricted conservative voices. But his administration may try to limit protections tech companies receive for content moderation decisions, which would make them more responsible for those decisions.
But Trump’s administration has always been a proponent of religious freedoms, and that could be reflected in upcoming policies regarding LGBTQ+ rights. For example, this could include policies that place a higher value on religious beliefs than on some anti-discrimination protections, such as in employment and public services. But gun rights will likely remain a key issue, with the administration favoring Second Amendment protections and opposing attempts to tighten federal gun laws.
However, his broad support base will not necessarily allow Trump’s policies to pass unchallenged by political opponents, advocacy groups, or international partners.
Critics say his approach to deregulation, immigration, and foreign policy is divisive, and that these policies could harm vulnerable populations, damage international relations and put corporate profits ahead of public welfare. Environmental advocates are worried about the potential impacts on climate policy, in particular. But Trump's emphasis on fossil fuels and deregulation could slow progress on fighting climate change, a move that is likely to draw opposition from states championing renewable energy and global climate accords. The coming term is likely to be dominated by balancing these environmental concerns with economic priorities.
Additionally, if Congress remains divided or if Republicans split, Trump’s legislative agenda could be limited. In a polarized political climate, cooperation will be needed to pass significant reforms on immigration, healthcare, and social issues. This is the defining moment in American politics and as Donald Trump returns to the presidency, it is a new chapter, indeed.
The nation is expected to take shape over the next four years under the direction of his administration’s policy priorities, which are focused on economic growth, immigration control, national security, and cultural conservatism. Americans, and the world, await to see how Trump’s policies will unfold and what effect they will have on domestic life and global relations. Whether this administration will bridge divides or deepen polarization remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Trump’s imprint on American politics and governance will be felt for a long time to come.
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