It’s difficult to fully grasp the significance of former President Donald Trump’s remarkable comeback victory. Not only did he become the first Republican nominee to win the popular vote since 2004, but his party also regained control of the Senate and may maintain its majority in the House.
With conservatives already in control of the Supreme Court, the U.S. could be entering a period of full Republican dominance at the federal level. Under Trump’s leadership, there are expectations that he will leverage the government’s extensive powers to target his political opponents and implement an unprecedented mass deportation policy.
**The Economy**
There has been much debate among experts and analysts about why the American economy, which has made the most impressive recovery from the pandemic compared to other advanced nations, and is currently the wealthiest and most productive, did not work in Vice President Kamala Harris's favor. The answer isn’t overly complex—it's rooted in what Americans actually mean when they talk about “the economy.”
Polling consistently shows that when voters refer to “the economy,” they’re largely thinking about the price of goods and services, rather than low unemployment rates or the performance of the stock market. While real wages have risen for many, that isn’t enough to reassure the public when prices remain high. As one senior Federal Reserve official said last year, Americans want to see prices come down, not just slow their rise. Even as inflation has moderated, it hasn’t been enough to satisfy the average consumer. This dynamic set the stage for Trump to position himself as the one who can restore affordability.
**Anti-Incumbent Mood Wins Again**
Over the past year, elections around the world—from Britain and France to India and Japan—have seen incumbent governments and ruling parties facing major setbacks. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approval rating, for example, sits at a low 33%.
One of the biggest challenges for Kamala Harris was convincing voters she represented change. While she ran a competitive campaign, she struggled to differentiate herself from the deeply unpopular status quo. President Joe Biden, her running mate, appeared to be on track for even worse results. One explanation for Harris’s struggle to resonate with voters may be the rising cost of living since 2021, which eroded much of the goodwill Biden had going into his presidency.
However, one of her most memorable missteps was during an appearance on *The View*, where she was asked how she would differ from Biden—and she couldn’t offer a clear answer. This moment may have further alienated voters who were looking for new leadership, rather than continuity with the current administration.