In a stunning turn of events, Donald Trump has breached the so-called ‘Blue Wall’ in the US Presidential election, securing victories in all seven major swing states as per the final projections released on Sunday. The Republican candidate is now set to win Arizona, a state that has been a battleground for over two decades, propelling his electoral tally to 312 votes, well above his Democratic rival Kamala Harris’s 226 votes. The results signal a remarkable political turnaround for Trump, who, in this election, has built on his 2016 success by flipping critical states that were traditionally Democrat strongholds.
Trump’s triumph in the 2024 election is largely attributed to his impressive performance in the battleground states. Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin—once considered key elements of the Democratic ‘Blue Wall’—all swung in his favour, delivering a decisive blow to the Democrats. This sweeping victory marks a stark contrast to the party’s expectations, especially after President Joe Biden’s success in these states in the 2020 election.
The final tally of electoral votes places Trump far ahead of his opponent, Kamala Harris. With Arizona, a state that had voted Democratic in 2020 for the first time since 1996, now returning to the Republican fold, Trump’s win is set to cement his place as the President-elect. However, the final count in Maricopa County, Arizona’s largest and most populous county, may take up to another 10 days to be fully completed, though it is unlikely to alter the final outcome.
Trump’s path to victory was anything but easy. The former president entered the race amid ongoing federal investigations related to the Hush Money scandal and legal challenges stemming from his involvement in the Florida case. His campaign was also overshadowed by personal threats to his life, including two assassination attempts, which added to the high-stakes nature of the election. Despite these challenges, Trump’s message resonated with voters, many of whom appreciated his directness and stance on issues like immigration, the economy, and national security.
His campaign also found support from prominent figures, including Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who threw his weight behind Trump. The backing of Musk, who had been a vocal critic of the Democratic establishment, proved instrumental in rallying voters in key regions of the country. In contrast, Kamala Harris received considerable support from Silicon Valley tech giants and celebrities, with most major tech firms and a number of high-profile personalities endorsing her candidacy.
One of the most striking features of this election was the stark division between the two major political camps. The US has become increasingly polarised, with political endorsements and campaign contributions openly reflecting this divide. Business leaders and Hollywood celebrities predominantly sided with Harris, while Trump garnered significant backing from conservative sectors and influential figures outside traditional political circles.
The media also played a pivotal role in the election, with coverage often divided along partisan lines. Major news outlets, particularly those in the left-leaning camp, faced criticism for biased reporting, which many felt had a significant impact on public perception. On the other hand, Trump’s communication strategy, primarily through social media and his direct addresses to the public, allowed him to maintain a strong connection with his base, particularly in battleground states where economic and social issues were at the forefront.
While the presidential race dominates the headlines, the Republicans also made notable gains in the House of Representatives. With 216 seats secured so far, the GOP is on the brink of crossing the majority mark of 218, a significant shift in congressional power. This is expected to lead to increased legislative challenges for Harris, should she manage to secure the presidency. The Republicans, buoyed by strong showings in key districts, are confident of pushing through their agenda in the coming years.
The shift in control of the House of Representatives, coupled with Trump’s success in the battleground states, signals a more profound shift in American politics. The results reflect a growing dissatisfaction with the current political establishment and an increasing demand for change, especially in areas hit hardest by economic instability and social unrest.
Trump’s ability to flip the ‘Blue Wall’ and secure an even larger electoral victory than in 2016 has significant implications for the future of American politics. His victory underscores the increasing fragmentation of the American electorate, with traditional Democratic strongholds now at risk of shifting further to the right. It also highlights the power of populist rhetoric and the enduring appeal of Trump’s brand of politics, which continues to energise a large swath of the American population.
The defeat for Kamala Harris, who was seen as the heir apparent to Joe Biden’s presidency, marks a moment of reckoning for the Democratic Party. While Harris may still secure the presidency in the final count, the loss of key battleground states and the shifting political landscape signal a need for a broader re-evaluation of the party’s strategy moving forward. The Republicans, having secured a strong showing in both the executive and legislative branches, are poised to dominate the political conversation for the next several years.
Read More: Man found dead on railway track leads police to horrific family murder in Mangaluru
