Views: 10
‘Convicted Felon, Oldest President’: Donald Trump’s Historic Firsts With US Election Victory
Donald Trump clinched victory in a high-stakes US presidential elections, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris to mark a stunning political comeback that sent shockwaves across the world. With this emphatic victory, Trump also notched a set of historic firsts as he was elected as the 47th US President.
The Republican won 276 electoral votes and his rival Harris was at 223 while the counting is still underway, according to CNN tallies. His victory capped off a tumultuous presidential campaign that began with President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign in July, followed by his endorsement of Vice President Harris, to the attempted assassination attempts on Trump.
The campaign pointed to a nail-bitingly close contest, but the results came surprisingly fast, delivering a crushing victory that included wins in the swing states of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump will now inherit several challenges, including two major global conflicts and heightened polarisation that have tested American influence abroad.
US Election 2024 Results Live: Trump Crosses 270 Majority Mark, Set To Become 47th US President
Historic Firsts Achieved By Trump
With a second term in the White House, he made history in several significant ways. Below is a list of historic firsts for Trump after his sensational victory over Harris in a nail-biting contest that gripped the world, as compiled by Fox 5 New York:
- Second President to Serve Non-Consecutive Terms: Trump has become the first president since Grover Cleveland to return to office after losing an election.
- Oldest President Elected: Trump will be the oldest person in US history to be elected president, surpassing Biden, who would be 82 while leaving office.
- First Republican To Win Popular Vote In 20 Years: Trump is the first Republican leader to win the popular vote. He won fewer votes than Clinton in 2016, but won through the Electoral College.
- First Convicted Felon to Hold Office: Trump, who is facing felony charges, would be the first American president to hold office while under legal indictment.
- Twice-Impeached President: Trump would become the only president in the US history to face impeachment proceedings twice during his time in office.
‘Golden Age of America’
Ahead of crossing the ‘magic number’ of 270 electoral votes, Trump made a victory speech in Florida, where he vowed to fix up the border issue to stop the immigrants and echoed to make America safe, strong and prosperous. “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president, and your 45th president,” he said.
Trump also mentioned the two assassination bids being attempted on him during the poll campaign. “God spared my life for a reason,” he said, promising a “golden age” for America. The President-elect told his supporters that this moment will “help this country heal.”
In a further blow to Democrats, the Republican Party secured a majority in the US Senate and is inching closer to the 218-mark in the House of Representatives. This will consolidate the power of Trump and his party on all legislative decisions with little to no obstacles.
