Matzav.com: Donald Trump has secured a second term as president, with his victory in Pennsylvania now projected.
In a fiercely contested and closely watched election, Trump went head-to-head with Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris.
With this projected win, the Republican Party is set to reclaim the White House, marking a return four years after Trump was defeated by President Joe Biden in 2020.
At 78, Trump will set a new record as the oldest person elected to the presidency. Previously, Joe Biden held this distinction, having been elected at age 77.
The forecasted victory also indicates that Trump will begin his term with Republicans holding the Senate majority.
Trump showed an early advantage as East Coast polls closed, with what analysts refer to as a “red mirage.” His victories in crucial battleground states such as Georgia and North Carolina set the stage, but it was Pennsylvania that ultimately delivered the decisive electoral votes, pushing him past the required 270.
To secure this outcome, Trump won in a slew of states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wyoming, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, West Virginia, Montana, Idaho, and Utah.
This triumph comes on the heels of Harris joining the presidential race in late July, after Biden withdrew his re-election bid.
Throughout the campaign, Trump faced significant personal risks, surviving two assassination attempts. In July, he was shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service responded by fatally shooting the attacker, Thomas Crooks.
A second incident occurred in September, when Ryan Routh was intercepted near one of Trump’s golf courses. After a confrontation, Secret Service agents fired on Routh, who later pleaded not guilty to charges related to the assassination attempt.
Despite enduring these threats and contending with multiple indictments, Trump pressed forward with his campaign, unwavering in his pursuit of another term.
“Four months from now, we will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country,” Trump declared during his 93-minute acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. This speech took place just days after the rally in Pennsylvania. “Together, we will launch a new era of safety, prosperity, and freedom for citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed.”
On the campaign trail, Trump prioritized issues such as border security and economic stability, often criticizing the Biden-Harris administration for the increase in illegal immigration since 2021.
He specifically attacked Harris for her performance as the administration’s “border czar,” blaming her for failing to control immigration and accusing the current leadership of mismanaging the economy, leading to rampant inflation.
The two candidates engaged in only one debate, which saw them clash over several major policy issues.
Although Harris urged Trump to participate in a second debate, he declined, stating that he had already engaged in two debates, referencing his earlier debate with Biden in Atlanta. Trump justified his refusal by pointing out that early voting had already started in many states, rendering another debate untimely.
Trump is set to assume office in January after Biden’s term concludes. He has already committed to addressing the ongoing border crisis, vowing to initiate widespread deportations of undocumented immigrants.
{Matzav.com}