The reason for Trump’s win is highly contested but there are Democrat failures which allowed Trump to win a sweeping victory. 

Democratic mistakes - The Democrats made several tactical missteps. Many argue that Biden should have withdrawn his candidacy earlier, allowing the party more time to find a suitable candidate. Harris had only 100 days to build a distinct political platform when Trump spent nearly a decade establishing his image in American politics. Furthermore, critics suggest that Harris’ inability to differentiate herself from the Biden administration weakened her campaign. Rather than emphasising her unique strengths, the campaign remained too closely tied to Biden, whose approval ratings stood at 36% in July 2024. In an election that demanded change, Harris represented continuity. 

Abortion - Abortion did not emerge as the decisive issue that Democrats had hoped for. They counted on mobilising women voters in response to the overturning of Roe v Wad, but this didn’t materialise into votes for Harris as she received fewer female votes than Biden received in 2020. In states like Michigan, abortion rights had already been protected through referendums and in ten states it appeared as a separate ballot issue, allowing voters to support abortion rights without supporting Harris. For example, in Arizona, Trump won by 5.9%, yet voters supported abortion rights by a margin of 22.4%. The Democrats mistakenly assumed that abortion would secure the female vote, but this expectation ultimately fell short.

In an election that demanded change, Harris represented continuity. 

Intersectionality for Harris - It’s worth considering whether the nation is truly ready for a woman of colour in its highest office. With experience in all three branches of government, Kamala Harris demonstrated her intelligence and ability by dominating the presidential debate. As CNN political commentator Van Jones said, “he gets to be lawless. She has to be flawless”. Trump’s campaign leaned heavily into themes of masculinity, aiming to win over male voters by pleading to ‘protect’ women ‘whether they liked it or not’. His rhetoric often targeted Harris’ gender, implying that her success was due to promiscuity rather than merit. Hence, a double standard was at play in this election, revealing that American social values may still be outdated. 

Despite Harris’ well-funded and meticulously organised campaign, Trump ultimately won the election by a sizeable margin. Pre-election polls suggested a tight race, but Trump’s victory highlighted the significant merits of his candidacy.

Economy and Immigration - Republican focus on the economy and immigration resonated deeply with American voters. For many, these concerns outweighed Trump’s controversial past, including the January 6th insurrection. By emphasising his plans to reduce the costs of everyday items, Trump appealed directly to working Americans. His clear stance on immigration, promising stricter border controls and the deportation of illegal immigrants also found strong support from voters. This direct, issue-focused approach was arguably the most significant reason for his success.

Personality - Trump’s charisma and ability to connect with his base were pivotal in his appeal, regardless of his policies. He cast himself as an outsider, the antithesis to the ‘liberal elite’ represented by Harris and the Democrats, and empathised with the struggles of everyday Americans. By reframing his legal issues as part of a conspiracy and January 6th as ‘a day of love’, Trump strengthened his connection with supporters. Harris, on the other hand, struggled to match Trump’s appeal. 

Trump’s direct, issue-focused approach was arguably the most significant reason for his success

Fear - Trump’s campaign tactfully used fearmongering. His bold, unconventional style included name-calling and direct outreach on social media. He warned against a ‘woke agenda’ and inaccurately accused schools of performing gender surgeries on children. This resonated with anxious parents about social changes impacting their children. In a highly polarised environment, Trump exploited these fears, using unverified claims such as allegations of Haitian immigrants eating pets to fuel concerns about immigration and job scarcity. This strategy proved effective, as Trump tapped into the anxieties of voters to secure victory.