By Donald Trump has achieved the most dramatic comeback in American political history, returning to power four years after leaving the White House in turmoil, overcoming multiple criminal indictments and surviving two assassination attempts to reclaim the presidency.
The victory marks a stunning reversal for a man who refused to accept his 2020 defeat and still faces charges for allegedly inciting the January 6 Capitol attack. Trump will make history as the first sitting president convicted of a felony, following his guilty verdict in a New York business records case.
His path to victory emerged through a campaign that took an extraordinary turn when President Joe Biden dropped out months before Election Day following a poor debate performance. Trump successfully capitalized on widespread economic dissatisfaction, repeatedly challenging voters with a simple question: “Are you better off now than you were two years ago?”
Despite Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric and threats of vengeance against political enemies, voters in key battleground states focused on kitchen-table issues. Many expressed distaste for his crude language but prioritized economic concerns and border security. Record illegal immigration levels under Biden bolstered Trump’s hardline immigration stance, though voters generally rejected his more extreme claims about migrants.
His “America First” message resonated across political lines, particularly regarding foreign aid spending. Voters from both left and right questioned billions allocated to Ukraine while domestic needs went unmet. The message proved especially effective against Harris, whom many viewed as representing continuity with Biden’s policies when they sought change.
The victory arrives as Trump faces a dramatically different political landscape than his first term. Once surrounded by experienced advisers who constrained his actions, he now shows little interest in traditional governance constraints. Former staff members have warned about his intentions, describing him as a “liar,” “fascist” and “unfit” for office, while cautioning that a loyalist-filled administration could enable his more extreme impulses.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity from prosecution for official acts could shield Trump from ongoing criminal cases. As president, he could direct his Justice Department to drop federal charges related to January 6 and potentially pardon hundreds imprisoned for the Capitol riot.
Throughout the campaign, Trump praised authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, threatened press critics, and continued promoting unfounded election fraud claims. His victory suggests voters were willing to overlook these concerns in hope of economic improvement, even as critics warn about threats to democratic institutions.
The world now awaits the practical implications of “America First,” from proposed 20% import tariffs to Trump’s vows to end conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East regardless of outcomes. With fewer constraints than his first term, Trump appears positioned to pursue a more radical agenda that could reshape both domestic and international politics.
Source: bbc.com
