Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election on Wednesday after he cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to win, by 295-226.
The Republican candidate solidified his win by sweeping of the “blue wall” states that incumbent Pres. Joe Biden won in 2020 such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Trump won in important battleground states such as North Carolina and Georgia.
“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president,” Trump said to his supporters in Florida on Tuesday night.
Trump also won the popular vote with 72,721,805 (50.9%) votes, while his Democratic opponent, current vice president Kamala Harris, won 68,060,176 (47.6%) votes. In the 2016 presidential election, Trump lost the popular vote to former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton.
Trump outperformed his showing in the 2020 election, while Harris was not able to keep up. Exit polling said Trump won over white voters without a college education and gained more votes from Black and Latino voters. Compared to his 2020 youth demographic, Trump gained 7% more young male voters and 6% more young female voters.
Republicans also gained the U.S. Senate. Currently Republicans have 52 seats and Democrats have 45 with three seats left to be called. In the House, Republicans have 206 seats while Democrats have 192 seats. There are 37 more seats to be called to reach the 218 majority.
Trump is the first former president to return to power since Grover Cleveland, who regained the White House in the 1892 election. At 78 years old, Trump is the oldest person elected to the presidency.
He is also the first person convicted of a felony to be elected president. Sentencing for his federal conviction in the New York “hush money” trial is set for Nov. 26 and it is unknown how a president-elect would be punished under the law. He also faces criminal charges in three other cases.
This is the second time Trump has defeated a woman in a presidential election. Harris is the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket. Harris’ unconventional route to the top of the ticket came after Biden exited the race in July. She had 107 days to run her campaign before Tuesday.
Both campaigns have traveled the country this campaign season. Trump’s campaign focused on immigration and the economy to pull voters in. The Harris campaign focused on women’s reproductive rights and the future of our democracy.
Harris conceded on Wednesday with a speech at her alma mater Howard University in front of students, her family and supporters.
“Now, I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now,” Harris said. “I get it, but we must accept the results of this election. Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition, and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”
The inauguration will be Jan. 20, 2025.
