Donald Trump Elected as the 47th President of the United States

In a historic turn of events, Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States after successfully clinching crucial battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Polling data had indicated a tightly contested race between the former president and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, with Trump ultimately securing his victory on Wednesday. Although there are still some outstanding states yet to be officially declared, several key takeaways from this tumultuous election have emerged.

1. Trump’s Strong Performance in Pennsylvania

Trump significantly outperformed expectations in pivotal swing states, managing to flip Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania, identified as a must-win for the Harris campaign, was anticipated to be a close contest. In the previous election of 2020, current president Joe Biden won the state by a mere 81,000 votes. Notably, the state had historically leaned Democratic from 1992 to 2012.

In Republican-leaning rural counties, Trump demonstrated strong appeal, even flipping Erie County in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, which Biden had narrowly won in 2020. Conversely, Harris seemed to struggle in traditionally Democratic strongholds like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where her performance fell short compared to Biden’s results in the last election.

2. Demographic Shifts Favor Trump

According to AP VoteCast, a comprehensive survey involving over 120,000 voters, there has been a noticeable decline in support for Harris among Black and Latino voters compared to Biden’s 2020 election results. A striking example of this shift is Trump’s win in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where approximately 68% of voters are Latino, a region that had previously served as a Democratic bastion.

The AP VoteCast survey further indicated that Trump fared better among younger voters compared to the previous election cycle. Political analyst James McCann, a professor at Purdue University, noted that the traditional belief that greater ethnic and racial diversity naturally benefits Democrats is being challenged. McCann pointed out that Trump’s appeal has been notably stronger among Black male voters as well.

3. Republican Control of the Senate

Republicans have regained control of the Senate by flipping three significant seats in Montana, West Virginia, and Ohio. In West Virginia, typically a Republican stronghold, voters filled the seat previously held by Democrat Joe Manchin, who transitioned to an independent. The state’s Republican governor, Jim Justice, successfully secured the seat for the GOP. Additionally, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, lost his seat to Republican candidate Bernie Moreno, an immigrant from Colombia who previously owned a chain of car dealerships. In Montana, Republican Tim Sheehy defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester.

The outcome for the House of Representatives remains uncertain, as Democrats require only a few seats to flip the chamber. Republicans had secured control of the House in 2022. Should Democrats manage to gain control, the scenario would resemble the current Congress, characterized by divided government, where lawmakers may need to engage in more frequent compromises on legislation.

4. Implications for European Defense and Trade

Analysts have indicated that Trump’s “America First” agenda could have significant ramifications for defense, security, and trade relations with European nations. Trump previously stated at a rally that he would not guarantee protection for NATO members unless they increased their defense spending, emphasizing the need for accountability: “You gotta pay your bills.” Following Trump’s election victory, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed his congratulations, highlighting the importance of Trump’s leadership in maintaining a strong alliance: “I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO.”

Another pressing concern is the continuity of U.S. support for Ukraine. When asked about the EU’s readiness to enhance aid to Ukraine in light of Trump’s win, a European Commission spokesperson advised against making premature assumptions, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to its policies and priorities regarding Ukraine.

5. European Right-Wing Leaders Celebrate Trump’s Victory

Right-wing and far-right politicians across Europe have voiced their support for Trump’s election win, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán being among the first to congratulate the incoming president, heralding it as a “much-needed victory.” Trump has previously complimented Orbán as a “strong leader” and expressed a willingness to collaborate with other right-wing leaders, such as Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, who asserted that Trump’s win would bolster ties between their nations.

Geert Wilders, a far-right politician from the Netherlands, remarked on social media, stating, “Patriots are winning elections all over the world,” emphasizing the public’s desire for “freedom and their own nation first, their own people first, and most of all, no more illegal immigration.” Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally party, described the election outcome as a “wake-up call,” suggesting that it provides an opportunity to rethink relationships with power and pursue strategic autonomy, stating, “Since Donald Trump encourages us to defend ourselves, let’s take him at his word.”