The 2024 presidential saga concluded as Kamala Harris, the Democratic contender, was defeated by ex-President Donald Trump in a run for the Oval Office. From the backdrop of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Harris is anticipated to yield to the will of the electorate through a concession speech. The event, confirmed by the White House, is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
Originally, the intention was for Harris to address her supporters from the historically Black university, where she received her undergraduate education, during the election night festivities. Nevertheless, the determined backdrop for her capitulation speech became a testament to her failed electoral ambitions as the clear winner emerged in the early hours of Wednesday.
In the lead up to Election Day, polls had shown that the competition between Harris and Trump was a tight one. Curiously enough, the election results painted a dissimilar picture, favoring Trump’s campaign in marginal states which had been repeatedly classified as battlegrounds prior to the election.
These places included North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – all of these had been depicted as a toss-up for weeks. Yet, against the predictions and perceptions, it was Trump who came out with a decisive victory.
Harris was thrust into the limelight and nominated as the Democratic presidential contender following the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the race. Biden’s poor performance against former President Donald Trump during a presidential debate on June 27 led him to step aside in July.
It was a route filled with hardships, as Harris had to balance her campaign against the backdrop of a largely unpopular Joe Biden’s presidency. As an extension of Biden’s administration, she was tested under the banner of an already dissatisfied populace, a fact evidenced by Biden’s exit poll disapproval ratings standing at around 41% during the Tuesday’s election.
The Harris campaign, backed by the Democratic party fundraising committees, had been successful in attracting a significant amount of campaign donations, breaking previous records. In fact, her campaign managed to raise over $1 billion post her nomination— a clear testament of the financial backing supporting her run.
Nonetheless, even this hefty financial push, combined with support from prominent billionaires such as Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates and ex-New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, could not ensure Harris’ victory. Even with the lavish endorsement of highly influential figures, the campaign fell short in the face of the electorate’s verdict.
On the starkly contrasting side of the political divide, Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and business magnate, stood firmly in support of Trump’s reelection campaign. This endorsement epitomizes the clear divide in backers, with strong support for Trump cutting even through the ranks of the entrepreneurial elite.
In the end, it was Trump who held the reins and forged his path back to the presidency. The defeat of Harris is a lucid indication of voters not placing their trust in the Biden-Harris orientation, instead favoring Trump’s divisive yet decisive politics.
Looking at the bigger picture, the electoral outcome signifies more than just a win for Trump. It underscores the deep-rooted dissatisfaction among voters with the status quo — a status quo defined and represented by Biden and Harris.
While political battles come and go, the 2024 presidential election will find its place in the annals of history for the lessons it offers. Will the defeat be a wake-up call, offering the Democratic party a chance to reevaluate their stance and leaders? Only time will tell.
For now, the tale of the 2024 presidential election will serve as a stark reminder of how the electorate needs to be heard and respected at all times. A reminder that despite having significant financial backing and heavyweight endorsements, there is simply no replacement for the assurance of a confident populace.