Sienna Miller | Head Editor
November 7, 2024
Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States, completing a political comeback that will grant him significant power both domestically and internationally. Despite enduring two impeachments, assassination attempts, a criminal conviction, and numerous legal challenges, Trump has returned to power, defying expectations.
How did we get here?
Trump’s opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, loss in the 2024 presidential race can, at least in part, be attributed to the challenges she faced as a woman in a political landscape that remains deeply entrenched in gender biases. While her leadership and qualifications were never in question, the public, and the media, often held her to different standards than her male counterparts. Harris’s candidacy was also undermined by the expectation that she not only have a compelling vision for the country but also navigate the complex dynamics of being both a woman and a minority figure in an already polarized political environment.
In addition, Harris entered the 2024 race later than expected, only a few months prior to Election Day, complicating her ability to build momentum. She was hesitant to criticize President Biden, fearing it would seem disloyal, especially on issues where their policies differed. This reluctance to create a clear contrast with Biden hurt her campaign, as voters were looking for strong leadership and clear change.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party was internally divided, with some believing Biden should have stepped aside after the midterms to allow for a more open primary. Harris found herself navigating a fractured party, struggling to assert her own vision while staying loyal to Biden, ultimately weakening her candidacy. These fundamental struggles lost key states like Pennsylvania, a battleground for Democrats and Republicans.
“I truly believe Kamala only lost because she is a black woman. Trump has only won against women candidates,” said senior Elora Aguliar. I read somewhere that the only thing America hates more than a rapist is a woman. Trump has multiple sexual assault allegations. I think that speaks for itself.”
Abortion rights solidify across seven states
Apart from the election, some other results that were put on the ballot this year are important to mention. Abortion rights were a key issue in the 2024 elections, with voters in 10 states deciding on measures related to abortion access. While most states, including Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New York, passed initiatives to protect or enshrine abortion rights, Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota saw setbacks.
In Florida, a proposal to secure abortion rights until fetal viability fell short by a narrow margin. Nebraska voters approved a ban on abortion after the first trimester, while South Dakota rejected a measure that would have guaranteed abortion rights in the first trimester. These results reflect a mixed landscape, with abortion rights advocates achieving success in many states, but facing significant challenges in others. Notably, most measures sought to protect access to abortion until fetal viability, which is generally considered to be around 24 weeks.
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