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In an unexpected turn of events for many, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance secured a decisive victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, winning both the popular vote by over 4 million ballots and a commanding majority in the Electoral College. Their success marked a historic shift, as they claimed all seven key swing states–Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin–and expanded into traditionally Democratic areas.
Trump’s ability to flip Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin played a pivotal role, delivering the electoral votes needed for the outcome, even as the final counts in Nevada and Arizona remained undecided. In Georgia, where Biden had narrowly won in 2020, Trump expanded his support by more than 100,000 votes. Despite modest Democratic gains in Atlanta, Trump’s success in rural and suburban areas was enough to overpower Harris’s urban support and shift the state solidly to red. Pennsylvania, with its critical 19 electoral votes, showed a similar pattern, as Trump’s appeal spanned both urban and rural voters. He notably gained traction in Philadelphia, receiving 20% of the vote—an increase that complemented his rural victories in places like Pike County, leading to a comfortable win of over 100,000 votes. In Wisconsin, Trump’s success with Black and Latino voters in major cities weakened Democratic strongholds, helping to establish a solid Republican advantage in the state.
The election outcome highlighted demographic shifts that played to Trump’s advantage. His campaign invested heavily in outreach to Latino and Black voters, winning 45% of Latino voters and a striking 55% among Latino men. This swing among minority voters was visible not only in Wisconsin but also in traditionally blue areas like Miami-Dade County, Florida, which, along with broader support in rural and suburban counties, solidified Florida as a Republican stronghold.
Trump’s revamped campaign organization, led by senior advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, introduced a disciplined and strategic focus that was absent in his previous campaign against President Biden. Meanwhile, the Democratic side struggled with internal tensions and strategic errors. Kamala Harris’s campaign, limited by her close association with Biden, had trouble resonating with voters seeking change from the current administration. Her decision to sidestep platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast—where Trump successfully connected with younger male voters—exemplified missed chances to engage with the crucial demographic.
The 2024 election left the U.S. with a polarized political landscape, yet one where Trump’s support among rural, minority, and male voters positioned Republicans as a formidable force. With his unprecedented feat of winning both the popular vote and the Electoral College as a non-incumbent Republican, Trump’s success reshaped the electoral map. This outcome challenges Democrats to reexamine their strategies for future elections.
