TFP Bureau, New Delhi, November 6, 2024: Former President Donald Trump has made a stunning return to the White House, winning the U.S. presidential election on Wednesday in one of the most remarkable political comebacks in American history. Trump, 78, secured the 270 electoral votes needed by capturing the battleground state of Wisconsin, surpassing Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in a fiercely contested race.
According to the Associated Press, as of 4 p.m. IST, Trump had amassed 277 electoral votes to Harris’s 224, sealing his victory. Speaking to jubilant supporters at West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump declared this a new era for the country, calling it the start of a “golden age of America.”
“This will be the golden age of America,” Trump stated, surrounded by family. “The American people have given us a powerful mandate. This victory is for the American people, and it’s a movement like the world has never seen.”
Trump expressed his vision to “heal” and “fix” America, promising to address issues from border security to economic stability. “We overcame obstacles nobody thought possible, and it is now clear we’ve achieved something truly historic,” he said. “With every breath in my body, I will not rest until we deliver the safe, prosperous America our children deserve.”
The election results mark a dramatic comeback for Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden and faced challenges in court over the 2020 results. His campaign this year included wins in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. However, vote counting is still underway in other battlegrounds, including Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada.
For Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the defeat is a significant setback. Harris joined the presidential race after President Biden withdrew his re-election bid in July following a challenging debate against Trump. Harris’s historic nomination as the first woman of color to lead a major party in the U.S. was seen as a landmark moment, and she campaigned on a message of unity and a “new way forward.” She cancelled her election night watch party at Howard University as Trump’s lead solidified.
Pre-election exit polls showed that the state of democracy, the economy, and abortion were among the top issues for American voters. Polls indicated that six in 10 voters ranked democracy as the leading issue, with CNN reporting that three-quarters of Americans hold a negative view of the nation’s current direction. Despite frustrations, the majority of voters remain optimistic, with over 60% believing America’s best days lie ahead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Trump on social media platform X, saying, “Heartiest congratulations, my friend @realDonaldTrump, on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity.”
Trump’s victory represents a significant shift in American politics, with both national and international attention focused on what his second term will mean for the United States and the world.
