Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has profoundly reshaped American politics. In a decisive victory, Trump not only secured the Electoral College but also achieved what no Republican candidate had done in 20 years-win the popular vote. His success reflects a well-crafted campaign strategy that addressed voter concerns, utilized cultural trends, and adapted to lessons from past elections. Here are the key factors that led to Trump’s historic win.
In the 2020 election, early and postal voting was a weak spot for Republicans, as Democrats effectively used these methods to boost turnout. For the 2024 campaign, Trump’s team focused on improving Republican participation in early voting. By educating voters and ensuring their turnout, they effectively neutralized this Democratic advantage. This organizational effort demonstrated the improved discipline within the conservative base and laid the groundwork for Trump’s eventual victory.
While Trump retained his core support base-predominantly older, white, and male voters-his campaign also made significant gains among groups traditionally aligned with Democrats.
One notable shift was among Latino men. In 2020, Joe Biden had led this group by 34 percentage points. By 2024, Kamala Harris’s lead narrowed to just 6 points, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party and Trump’s appeal to economic and cultural........