Donald Trump Defeats Kamala Harris to Become 47th President of the United States
Washington, 6th November 2024: In what was anticipated to be a close battle, the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, has once again secured the presidency, this time defeating Democratic leader Kamala Harris by an unprecedented margin to become the 47th President. Trump won 277 electoral votes, securing the majority, while Harris fell short with 224. Trump managed to win key swing states, including Pennsylvania and Georgia and secured North Carolina, positioning him to lead the USA for the next four years.
Trump’s victory over Harris means the USA will still have to wait for its first-ever woman president. In his previous term, Trump also defeated another female candidate, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, wife of former President Bill Clinton, who ran as the Democratic nominee in 2016. Kamala Harris’s candidacy was announced in June this year, and she campaigned aggressively against Trump, but he ultimately secured the majority as of 1 PM.
During this campaign, Trump stirred intense debate on the issue of immigration. At the same time, Harris, the child of immigrants, was seen as an outsider, which seemed to challenge Trump’s stance. The Democrats campaigned by highlighting Trump’s alleged anti-democratic tendencies, claiming his re-election would threaten the U.S. Constitution. Even in the formal debates, Harris appeared to dominate, while Trump dismissed her statements as baseless accusations.
Kamala Harris faced criticism for a “Trump bad” campaigning style and for not offering new, major policy updates in her manifesto. Despite this, endorsements from celebrities like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and businessman Bill Gates supported her campaign, while Trump’s endorsements came from figures such as Joe Rogan and businessman Elon Musk. While both candidates had celebrity backing, Harris garnered more support from the entertainment industry compared to Trump.
What It Means for India?
Political experts worldwide speculate that with Trump’s victory, U.S.-India ties may deepen through stronger strategic and defence collaboration against China. However, his “America First” stance could lead to tougher trade negotiations, potentially impacting sectors like IT and pharmaceuticals. India might benefit from U.S. companies seeking alternatives to China, potentially boosting manufacturing and investment in India’s economy. However, Trump’s stance on immigration may pose challenges as well.
Assassination Attempt: Campaign’s Turning Point?
Experts claim that the assassination attempt on Trump in July marked a turning point in his campaign. On July 13, 2024, Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. The shooter, Thomas Crooks, killed one attendee and injured two others before being shot by Secret Service agents. Photos of a bloodied but resilient Trump went viral. Following the bipartisan backlash, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned. President Biden ordered a security review, and enhanced safety measures were introduced for Trump’s events after his administration was accused of neglecting Trump’s security, facing heavy criticism.
