America got independence from the British Rule, and George Washington became the first President of the United States under the new Constitution in 1789. The national capital moved from New York to Philadelphia in 1790 and ultimately to Washington, D.C, in 1800. The US has since become the world’s oldest democracy, although the women’s suffrage was not achieved until 1920, more than a century after independence. To date, the country has yet to elect its first woman President. The US comprises of 50 states making it the fourth largest country in area after Russia, Canada, and China. With a population of about 340 million, it ranks third in population size behind India and China. There are two major political parties in the US: the Democratic Party, which leans liberal and the Republican Party, with a conservative ideology. The President of the United States (POTUS) holds dual roles as the head of the state and government, commanding significant influence as the leader of the world’s largest economy and Commander in Chief of the most highly funded Armed Forces. The US President is elected along with the Vice President through the Electoral College for a four-year term, for maximum two terms. If the President resigns or dies, the Vice President becomes the President for the remaining term. There have been 16 Democrat and 19 Republican Presidents, with FD Roosevelt having the longest serving tenure. The United States’ Legislature is the Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives having 100 and 435 members respectively.
Donald Trump is a Republican politician, media personality, and a businessman who served as the 45th President, after defeating Hilary Clinton, from 2017 to 2021. He once again succeeded in earning the trust of the people, securing decisive win with 312 electoral votes defeating Kamala Harris, the incumbent Vice President, in the 2024 elections and is presently the President-elect, scheduled to become the 47th President of the United States on 20th January, 2025. Trump described his impending victory as the ‘greatest political moment of all time’. J D Vance will be one of America’s youngest Vice Presidents. The key reasons of Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris include:
1. Trump gained substantial support in crucial swing states (also known battleground states that could potentially be won by either candidate, their opposites are known as safe states which are highly likely to be won by a particular party candidate) as compared to the previous presidential election. Harris was unable to secure strong backing in these critical states which ultimately contributed to her defeat.
2. There was discontent in the Democratic party, largely due to lack of impactful leadership within the party over the past four years which led many voters to view Trump as more capable candidate, mainly due to Harris’s ambiguous policy outlines.
3. During the election, Kamala Harris faced criticism for her communication style. Her speeches were often described as unclear, indecisive, and ambiguous, casting doubts on her capabilities. On the other hand, Trump’s messages were straightforward and appealing to his base.
4. Trump has a base of white voters and maintained strong approval among them and held major lead over Kamala Harris. This demographic support proved crucial in the swing states.
5. During this election, the people of the US prioritized economy as the major issue. Trump was more vocal on economic matters and the voters expressed confidence in his economic policies. Harris did exceptionally well with the wealthy voters, but for everyone else Trump was a better choice, as his economic vision resonated with Americans
6. Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) helped counter mainstream media’s negative Trump coverage. He convinced the Silicon Valley to support Trump. Musk also promised that Trump would make America great again, and people believed him.
Trump will radically reshape international politics if he keeps his campaign promises. His ideas about the role of US in international affairs will undermine institutions like the United Nations and NATO, having lasting effects on the geopolitical landscape. He explicitly promised to pull the US out of Paris Climate Accord which will have effects on global climate policy. He has also proposed to impose a variety of new tariffs on the US trading partners and made other big promises like ending Ukraine and Russia war in 24 hours. However, as seen in his first term, implementing these goals may prove to be complex and challenging.
An economic surge in the US under Trump, will have a positive impact on emerging economies through a ripple effect. This is particularly beneficial for India, given its prominence as a major exporter of IT services, pharmaceutical products, gems, and jewellery. India’s strong ties with Trump, bolstered by a close Modi-Trump relationship, may face challenges under his proposed trade policies. His admiration for Elon Musk suggests that he may push India for tariff concessions for Tesla’s EV project in India. India’s total export to the US reached $ 54.7 billion by August 24. The trade balance leans in favour of New Delhi, with imports totalling around $ 28.5 billion. This trade surplus could potentially make India a target of Trump’s new tariffs. Despite past trade skirmishes, both nations built a robust partnership, with the US seeing India as a strategic counterweight to China. The nations share considerable synergy in defence, security, clean energy, and cultural ties, and both countries recognize the importance of their partnerships for mutual growth. India is likely to benefit on the foreign policy front under Trump 2.0, because of his tough stand on interim government in Bangladesh and terrorism from Pakistan. Trump’s tough immigration policies will impact thousands of Indians, including those already working in the US. India, one of the world’s fastest growing economies with a large market, must brace for Trump’s policies on trade, tariffs, and immigration. For the world’s largest and the oldest democracies, working in co-operation remains vital for both nations.
By Manoj Dubey
Principal (Retd.)
Delhi Public Schools
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Comments (3)
D
Excellent. Good analysis about the reasons for victory of Trump.
S
Very well explained. Keep up the good work
S
Nice article how Trump won the battle is beautifully analysed by you