American Battleground: How One State Took Harris Down and Marked the New Era of Trump
Analysis by Tom Foreman, CNN
In the midst of election night 2024, a vibrant crowd at Howard University pulses with hope as they cheer for Kamala Harris, anticipating her victory. They are certain the race will result in her becoming the first female president of the United States. The crowd roars every time Harris secures another state, a wave of excitement sweeping through the historic university, where notable figures like Thurgood Marshall once stood. They believe the momentum is on their side, but behind the scenes, political insiders know the situation is far more precarious.
Kamala Harris’s campaign faced enormous challenges in its rapid 107-day race. With President Joe Biden’s sudden exit, Harris had to define herself and campaign aggressively, battling against an increasingly dissatisfied electorate and a rising tide of Trump’s supporters. Despite Harris’s energetic campaigning, Trump’s approval ratings had surged to an all-time high, and the race remained unpredictable.
At Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s team watches the returns with nervous anticipation, fully aware of the tight race. In an uncharacteristic moment of vulnerability, Trump admits to the possibility of defeat. He wasn’t sure what the results would be, but his campaign hoped the polls were underestimating his strength, as they had in past races.
As the evening progresses, both camps closely monitor battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Early projections show Trump winning North Carolina and Georgia, which are no surprises but critical wins nonetheless. As Harris picks up victories in Oregon, Virginia, and Hawaii, the tension builds.
The race narrows down to Pennsylvania, a state that could decide the outcome. The state’s laws, which delay the processing of mail-in ballots, make it one of the last to report. With Philadelphia and Pittsburgh’s Democratic leanings and the state’s diverse rural areas, Pennsylvania is key for both candidates. However, despite the uncertainty, at 2:05 a.m., CNN projects Pennsylvania for Trump, marking a seismic shift in the race.
Trump clinches Wisconsin and Michigan, solidifying his path to victory. The media outlets call the race, and the election is over.
Trump’s team, initially uncertain, now celebrates a hard-fought victory. His supporters cheer, and he takes the stage to announce his triumph. “This is the greatest political movement of all time,” he declares, basking in the glory of winning the popular vote for the first time. At 78, he becomes the oldest president to win the White House, a triumph that solidifies his legacy.
Despite his celebration, Trump’s victory is not a landslide. With 77.3 million votes — a narrow 1.5 percentage point margin over Harris — Trump secures 312 electoral votes. While this is a significant victory, it’s far from overwhelming, especially when compared to past presidents like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, who won with much higher electoral counts.
Trump also inherits a divided Congress, with a narrow Republican majority in both chambers. This may limit his ability to push through the more extreme parts of his agenda. Despite winning the popular vote and the electoral college, Trump’s victory still reflects a divided nation. He remains a minority president, with the majority of Americans casting their votes for someone else, a reality that underscores the deep partisan divides of the country.
