“`html
- Experts are analyzing the factors behind Donald Trump’s victory in the US election.
- Key reasons include his views on immigration, economic issues, and a global trend against sitting leaders.
- This article presents some of the most insightful analyses regarding Trump’s success.
The aftermath of Donald Trump’s triumph in the US presidential election has sparked extensive analysis as experts attempt to unravel how he secured a second term.
A variety of explanations have emerged, ranging from a populist uprising against established elites to criticisms aimed at Vice President Kamala Harris’s performance as the Democratic nominee.
Below are some notable insights shared by commentators following the election results.
Ankush Khardori, Politico
Trump’s Victory: A Result of Biden Administration’s Major Errors
“The primary reason for Trump’s win despite his numerous legal challenges is that many voters chose to overlook their concerns about his alleged misconduct due to their dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration. Whether this was justified or not is irrelevant; it was their prerogative as voters.” “However, if accountability had been enforced properly within our system, voters would not have faced such an option. Had Trump been held responsible for his alleged offenses, he might not have even appeared on ballots.”
Shane Goldmacher, Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan, The New York Times
The Dynamics Behind Trump’s Win and Harris’s Loss
“Trump’s 2024 victory hinged on one crucial gamble: merging his grievances with those of both the MAGA movement and broader Republican sentiments—ultimately resonating with over half of American voters. His mug shot became iconic merchandise while his criminal conviction generated $100 million in donations within just one day. Images depicting him post-assassination attempt transformed into symbols representing what supporters perceived as a destined campaign.”
“Conversely, Harris’s defeat tells its own story.” “She struggled under President Biden’s low approval ratings while attempting to distance herself from him amidst voter desires for change. With only three months available to reintroduce herself nationally, she hesitated until late regarding her approach towards discussing Trump.”
John Burn-Murdoch, Financial Times (FT)
The Democrats Join 2024’s Incumbent Graveyard
Aleexandra Ulmer & Gram Slattery , Reuters
“““html
Shifting Focus: Immigration Takes Center Stage
The political landscape is witnessing a significant shift as immigration emerges as a pivotal issue, overshadowing topics like abortion where Democrats traditionally hold an advantage. This change in focus could reshape voter sentiments leading up to the elections.
Insights from Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen at Axios
The Power Dynamics of Modern Republican Leadership
The Democratic Party has suffered considerable damage to its reputation due to its emphasis on political correctness. Strategists within the party acknowledge that this perception poses a significant challenge, not just for Vice President Harris but for the party’s overall image. Trump recognizes this as crucial in converting independent voters and those disenchanted with politics into supporters of his brand of Republicanism.
David Weigel’s Perspective from Semafor
Democratic Dilemmas: Analyzing What Went Wrong
There seems to be no clear agreement on what strategies might have succeeded this year, aside from the obvious advice: avoid being the ruling party during times of economic distress caused by inflation. Some may argue that nominating an 81-year-old candidate was ill-advised, yet there are still Biden supporters who express frustration towards those who encouraged him to step back.
Annie Lowrey’s Analysis in The Atlantic
The Price Factor: Voter Priorities Unveiled
Voters do not base their electoral choices on complex economic data or price trends; they react based on their lived experiences. Many are frustrated when told by analysts that their perceptions are misguided—that they should feel better about their circumstances than they do. Under President Biden, inflation surged more dramatically than at any time since the early 1980s, with certain categories experiencing persistently high prices. Since early 2020, home prices have skyrocketed by nearly 47%. While this increase has theoretically enhanced homeowners’ wealth, it has simultaneously excluded millions from entering the housing market. Rental costs have also risen sharply—over 20% since COVID-19 began—and doubled in some regions—resulting in record numbers of renters facing financial strain. Gerard Baker’s Commentary for The Times of London
A Wake-Up Call for Democrats: Understanding Trump’s Appeal
Consider this perspective: The individual labeled a ‘fascist’ by his critics may very well secure over 150 million votes—a feat achieved through garnering support from diverse groups including Black voters,
Latinos,
Jews,
and younger demographics.
While valid concerns regarding his approach to law and order will be scrutinized if he secures another term, his broad appeal necessitates a reevaluation among critics regarding their assumptions about him.
Rather than continuously framing him as an authoritarian figure akin to Hitler,
Democrats and media outlets should explore why he resonates with such a wide array of everyday Americans—many previously aligned with Democratic values.
Trump’s populist message is attracting a multiethnic working-class base into the Republican fold—a trend likely highlighted during the upcoming election cycle.
Laurel Duggan’s Insights at UnHerd
The Abortion Debate’s Limited Impact on White Female Voters
The abortion debate appears not significantly swayed white women’s voting patterns during this election cycle.
Trump maintained consistent support among these voters compared to pre-Roe v Wade overturning figures; even in states like Florida and South Dakota considering abortion-related measures,
he secured both female votes and specifically white female votes.In Arizona—a key swing state where abortion was also part of discussions—
Trump led among white women by nine points while narrowly winning overall female support.This demographic had long been viewed as critical for Democrats seeking alternatives after losing working-class white male voters.
Senator Chuck Schumer once claimed that “for every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania,
we will gain two moderate Republicans within Philadelphia suburbs.”
“““htmlUnderstanding the Dynamics of Trump’s Electoral Success
The political landscape in states like Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin has shown persistent Republican leanings among white women, a trend that has proven challenging for Democrats to counteract. This pattern was evident not only in the 2016 election but also continued into 2024.
Todd Landman: Insights from Political Science
How Donald Trump Reclaimed the Presidency, by Todd Landman, a political science professor at the University of Nottingham, highlights key strategies employed by Trump’s campaign.
In an election characterized by narrow margins and fluctuating polls, Trump’s strategy focused on energizing his existing base rather than significantly expanding it. Notably, young male voters were mobilized in large numbers. The campaign emphasized economic concerns over positive indicators such as a thriving stock market and low unemployment rates. Instead of celebrating these successes, Trump directed attention to everyday struggles caused by prolonged inflation that diminished household purchasing power. A pivotal factor in this election was Elon Musk’s substantial support for Trump through his influence on X (formerly Twitter), which allowed the campaign to amplify its message directly to millions of followers. Steve Hanke: A Perspective from Economics
Steve Hanke, an applied economics professor at Johns Hopkins University and former advisor to President Reagan, shared insights with Business Insider stating that American voters expressed discontent towards elites governing Washington and media outlets. The electoral outcome reflected a rebellion against these established figures.
Nate Cohn: Analyzing Voter Trends
Nate Cohn from The New York Times discusses how Trump’s appeal broadened across various demographics including those who previously viewed him skeptically—ranging from Hispanic communities in New York City to tech workers in San Francisco. This shift contradicts earlier Democratic expectations regarding demographic changes favoring their party.
Cohn notes that many voters who once formed the backbone of Democratic support became disillusioned with the status quo and chose instead to back Trump.
Tina Fordham: Strategic Insights on Political Climate
A prominent strategist and advisor Tina Fordham remarked that Trump’s victory exemplifies how harsh political climates can be detrimental for incumbents globally. She emphasized inflation as a significant issue affecting voter sentiment; high prices coupled with stagnant wages create dissatisfaction among citizens across various demographics.
The stark divisions within U.S. politics remain evident along geographic lines as well as educational backgrounds—with working-class men being some of Trump’s most ardent supporters.
Fordham warns that this outcome could lead not only to anger but also widespread fear among Americans about future governance.
On an international scale, she suggests that Trump’s win will have transformative implications for both U.S. policy and global relations amidst rising geopolitical tensions.Nate Silver: Key Factors Behind Victory
Nate Silver recently revisited his analysis titled “24 Reasons Why Trump Triumphed“, outlining several contributing factors including:
- The impact of inflation on public perception regarding economic conditions;
This analysis also highlighted cultural shifts towards conservatism alongside growing disenchantment among male voters and minorities—factors which played into Harris’ late nomination challenges during her campaign efforts.
A Lesson Learned About Candidate Selection?
"I believe concluding ‘don’t nominate women’ would be misguided,” stated Matthew Yglesias via X platform post discussing potential takeaways following recent elections.” Many female candidates excel electorally; thus bias against nominating them could hinder talent acquisition within Democratic ranks.” He urged learning from successful female candidates instead!
“““html
“Trump has made numerous promises that seem impossible and often contradictory, which will likely lead to challenges,” Yglesias remarked in a recent post on X. He elaborated in a subsequent comment: “A clear example is Trump’s ability to reassure a significant portion of the public regarding abortion rights while simultaneously maintaining strong support from those who advocate for its prohibition. That’s quite a balancing act!”
Dominic Sandbrook: Historian and Commentator
In an appearance on the “Rest is Politics” podcast, Sandbrook pointed out that Harris struggled to garner enough backing from female, Latino, and Black voters. He highlighted Trump’s tendency to exceed polling expectations, especially among rural populations, Southern states, and suburban areas.
Sandbrook noted parallels between Harris and Hillary Clinton’s campaigns, suggesting both faced challenges due to some voters’ reluctance to accept a woman as president.
He also mentioned that many constituents were ”skeptical” of a multiracial woman hailing from California who he described as representing what some might call the metropolitan liberal elite.
Eric Cortellessa: National Political Correspondent at Time
The Dynamics Behind Trump’s Victory
The Democrats’ swift decision to replace their first-term president with Harris limited their options for a more seasoned candidate who could have attracted wider support. Voters appeared willing to overlook Trump’s advanced age and increasingly erratic campaign rhetoric. Many interpreted his legal troubles as part of an overarching corrupt scheme aimed at undermining him—and by extension them—while he capitalized on global unrest following the COVID-19 pandemic that has led many incumbent leaders worldwide to be ousted.
When discussions about abortion arose, Trump consistently asserted that it was now up to individual states while redirecting conversations toward economic issues, immigration policies, and crime—topics believed by his campaign team to resonate with affluent suburban women open to supporting him.
Musk transformed X into a hub for conspiracy theories during this election cycle and framed the stakes of the race as existential for his audience of over 200 million followers.
Correction: November 7, 2024 — An earlier version of this article contained an error in Eric Cortellessa’s name.
Access the original article on Business Insider.Source
“`