In the end, it wasn’t close at all. Donald Trump swept all seven swing states, easily returning to the White House. Polls had suggested a neck-and-neck race, but Harris lost every swing state and performed even worse than Joe Biden in every county. Trump’s triumph signals the end of the liberal order established with Barack Obama’s presidency in 2008, which saw Democrats dominate the narrative and shape much of American culture, from the media to Hollywood. Now, with Donald Trump – a convicted felon – back in the White House, the tables have turned. Trump achieved numerous firsts, including becoming the first president since Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms and dismantling the so-called “Blue Wall.”
1) No Time to Prepare
Planning a presidential campaign in just four months was a tall order, and Harris, stuck with Biden’s team, struggled to articulate her message. She was forced to reverse positions on key policies, including those on illegal immigration and gender-affirming care, which eroded public confidence.
2) Interview Doom Loop
Initially, Harris refused interviews, leading polls by 3.6 points in FiveThirtyEight’s polling average. Silicon Valley investor David Sacks warned she could fall into a “doom loop”: as her ratings dropped, she’d be forced to give more interviews, further harming her standing. This proved true, with her ratings plummeting from 3.6 to 1.4 points just before Election Day.
3) MSM Playing Nero
The media’s role should be to inform the public, yet, over the past eight years, mainstream outlets have been preoccupied with attacking Trump. They frequently distorted facts, as seen when they misinterpreted Trump’s comment about Liz Cheney as a call for violence rather than a critique of her “war hawk” views. Even comedy shows leaned into anti-Trump narratives, reinforcing biases rather than fostering critical discourse.
4) Rise of New Media
With mainstream media missing the mark, alternative platforms have gained prominence, allowing people to judge Trump independently. Platforms like X, owned by Trump ally Elon Musk, and podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience have helped Trump redefine his image, distancing him from labels like “fascist” and “bigot.” In today’s media landscape, where figures like Joe Rogan hold as much influence as major celebrities, Trump’s alternative media appearances have countered the negative portrayals from traditional outlets.
5) Shrill Surrogates
As Harris’s ratings dipped, her surrogates grew desperate. Hillary Clinton likened a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden to a Nazi gathering, while Obama admonished Black men for not backing Harris. Figures like Tim Walz and AOC tried to turn a minor Puerto Rican joke into a headline, making it seem like a bigger issue than it was.
6) Trump Minority Outreach
Trump extended his reach to minority groups. His pro-business stance and ties with Indian PM Narendra Modi appealed to conservative Indian Americans. Among African Americans, he capitalised on frustrations with the Democratic Party, drawing young Black men with promises of economic opportunity. Endorsements from Arab American leaders in Michigan boosted his support, particularly among those critical of US involvement in the Middle East. His Hispanic support, though somewhat affected by a Puerto Rican joke, grew due to his positions on economic issues, immigration, and crime.
7) U-Turns on Major Policies and a “No Comment” Strategy
Kamala Harris’s reluctance to commit to clear policy positions backfired. By avoiding firm stances on former progressive policies, she created an impression of evasiveness, which alienated voters. Conversely, Trump’s direct, if polarising, policy positions won him a loyal base, securing a clear victory. Harris’s avoidance left her vulnerable to attacks, with voters gravitating toward a candidate with a more defined agenda.
8) MAGA culture clash triumph
MAGA has done more than just challenge the Republican establishment; it has pressured the Democratic Party’s liberal values. Issues like the trans movement and identity politics have alienated some traditional Democratic voters, and MAGA has reframed debates on immigration as conflicts between illegal immigrants and minority communities. Figures like Kamala Harris symbolise this shift, particularly with her recent controversial statements and decisions.
9) Reverse Swing in Swing States
Kamala Harris struggled in key swing states, losing ground that Joe Biden had previously held. Her failure to connect with working-class voters on issues like the economy and immigration cost her in places like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In Florida and Arizona, Harris’s appeal fell flat with Latino voters, who leaned towards Trump’s stances on jobs and border security. Her campaign’s missteps across these pivotal states led to a complete swing-state wipeout, blocking her path to victory.
10) The “DEI” Candidate
Kamala Harris’s ascension to the Democratic nomination has sparked criticism, with some labelling her a “DEI candidate” – suggesting her rise was due to diversity priorities over electoral support. This narrative cast doubt on her qualifications, overshadowing her roles as attorney general, senator, and vice president. Her campaign, burdened by these assumptions, ultimately failed to resonate widely, underscoring the unique challenges faced by Black women in leadership, where their achievements are often undermined by questions around race and gender.
11) America’s racist history
There’s an unspoken reality within American politics, underscored by historical and present-day facts. The US has longstanding issues with racism and misogyny. Abraham Lincoln had to lead the country into a civil war to end slavery. It wasn’t until 1920 that women gained the right to vote, and only in 1965 were voting rights fully extended to all Black citizens. Jim Crow laws continued to suppress Black rights across states well after the Civil War. The country has elected a Black president only once and has yet to see a female president. For many American voters, possibly including Black voters, casting a ballot for a candidate who is both half-Indian and half-Black may still feel like too great a leap—regardless of the opponent. Even in 2024, it seems, this remains a bridge too far.
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