Summary

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, winning both the popular and electoral votes, challenges expectations about democracy’s resilience in America.

Kamala Harris’s campaign, centered on “joy and hope,” struggled against strong headwinds. Approximately 65% of voters felt the country was on the “wrong track,” while two-thirds said the economy was in bad shape, a sentiment that heavily favored Trump.

Nearly half of voters reported they were personally worse off than four years ago, and 75% cited inflation as causing their family “moderate or severe hardship.” Trump overwhelmingly won among these voters.

Analysts argue Trump’s win isn’t a rejection of democracy but reflects public desire for “strong leadership” amid national dissatisfaction.