A return in the form of revenge. Donald Trump is elected President of the United States after passing the fateful threshold of 270 electors. Four years after failing against Joe Biden, he achieved what only one president had achieved before him: return to the White House for a second term. Without waiting for the official results, the man who will become the 47th President of the United States next January welcomed a “political victory never seen before in our country”. “The Americans gave us unprecedented power, an incredible mandate,” he rejoiced.
While for weeks the result of the election had been announced by polls as one of the most undecided in the country's history, it was ultimately a red wave that swept through key states. Elected President of the United States, Donald Trump also won the popular vote. The Republicans also captured the Senate and the House of Representatives. A clear and definitive victory which caused shock waves in the country and throughout the world.
“It’s the best comeback in the history of the United States,” rejoiced his running mate and future vice-president J.D. Vance. “We are going to have the best economic comeback under Trump's leadership,” he said after leading a very violent campaign focused on economic issues and immigration.
In 2024, as in 2016, Donald Trump therefore succeeded in convincing Americans that he understood their daily difficulties better than his opponent. A Democratic candidate, Vice-President Kamala Harris, who had to lead a lightning campaign after the spectacular withdrawal of Joe Biden and failed to mobilize sufficiently, in the face of her rival's diatribes on immigration and inflation . Two themes which have been central in this very gendered campaign while the cost of living and the surge in real estate prices have had a strong impact on the middle classes for months. We went to meet these Americans who are no longer able to find housing and must turn to mobile homes to live.
What lessons can be learned from this election? What are the reasons for Donald Trump's victory? Inflation and the surge in real estate prices, one of the reasons for this red wave? The “gender gap”, another of the keys to explaining the defeat of Kamala Harris? Throughout the campaign, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris competed for the votes of women, young people, and ethnic minorities. The first polls confirm that Kamala Harris won the women's vote and Donald Trump won the men's vote. The Republican also came out on top among the white electorate and made inroads with these African-American and Hispanic voters, who could have swung the vote.
And now ? In addition to having won the presidential election, the Republicans will take control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. But what does this mean for the future of the country? Why does this second term promise to be explosive? What role for Elon Musk in the future administration? Why is Donald Trump's victory worrying in Europe?
The experts:
– Laurence HAÏM – Journalist – American Time and author of the documentary “Trump God and his people”, in replay on the France Télévisions website.
– Loïc de la MORNAIS – Senior reporter – Special correspondent – France 2, former correspondent in Washington
– Vincent JOLLY – Grand reporter – The Figaro Magazine
– Soufian ALSABBAGH – Political scientist specializing in Republicans
– John BOLTON (duplex) – Former national security advisor to Donald Trump
– David THOMSON (duplex from Florida) – Correspondent – RFI
