Chethma De Mel, Jadetimes Staff
C. J. De Mel is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment News
In a story-turning event, Kamala Harris has lost her historic bid to be the first woman president of the United States. Her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump surged ahead, capturing key swing states and claiming the ultimate presidency with 279 electoral votes to Harris' 223, even as some states remain unannounced.
The first results showed Trump ahead in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. He won across the region-in fact, rebuilding that "Blue Wall" which had briefly flipped Democratic in 2020: the very same states that had propelled him to victory in 2016.
Trump also leads the popular vote, the first national lead by a Republican since George W. Bush in 2004. Though conservative states remained with Trump, support for Harris was essentially bound to the liberal bastions of California and New York.
Harris' campaign struggled to compile significant traction across the country. Her emphasis on issues like abortion rights simply did not cut across large swaths of the electorate, if exit polls are any indication. Compared to President Joe Biden's 57% support among women in 2020, CBS reports Harris underperforming among that demographic this election, coming in at just 54%. Harris also received a little less support from Black and Latino voters than Biden did in the last election-each crucial Democratic base.
Harris had planned to speak to supporters on Tuesday night but cancelled her appearance at Howard University, her alma mater, after Trump's momentum became clear. Senior campaign officials cited ongoing vote counting, though campaign co-chairman Cedric Richmond hinted that the race outcome might be insurmountable. Trump's campaign has indicated they expect Harris to concede later in the day.
If Harris had won, she would have broken several barriers: the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first South Asian American to secure the U.S. presidency. Difficult campaign season with fluctuation in key demographics, a powerful Republican resurgence across the country defined her path.
In addition to the presidential win, Republicans also picked up several congressional races, taking Senate seats in places like West Virginia and Ohio while turning back efforts to take their open seats in Texas. The House margin remains close, but a clean sweep of both chambers would make it far easier for Trump to enact his agenda-the hardline immigration policies and deep cuts in taxes.
The contentiousness of this election meant both parties had phalanxes of lawyers on standby to contest any issues, and law enforcement around the nation was on high alert for threats. Tuesday saw around 30 fake bomb threats toward election-related locations, according to a CBS report, targeted more than half at Georgia.
Now that the dust is finally starting to settle after one of the most turbulent campaigns in recent history, Americans look toward a new chapter under President Trump's renewed leadership, with Harris expected to issue a formal address later today.
