We all know by now that Donald Trump won the presidency. Here’s a quick recap of what went down and what we can expect.
In a shocking turn of events, Trump won the 2024 presidential election and will now take office for the next four years. His return to office comes four years after he encouraged a violent mob to storm the U.S. capital in an attempt to block his removal from office.
All major news outlets called the race in Trump’s favor as of Wednesday morning. In a victory speech at 2:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning, Trump declared that his return to the White House will usher in a “golden age of America.” Trump has made many promises to fix everything wrong with America—from borders to wars to inflation to education—and those promises will soon be put to the test.
Later on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris gave her concession speech at 4:00 p.m. EST. Harris formally acknowledged her loss to the President-elect Donald Trump in an emotional speech in which she promised to never give up “the fight that fueled this campaign.” Referencing an old adage, Harris urged the American people to remember that “only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
Trump is now preparing for his second term after decisively winning the election by staffing his new administration. Susie Wiles will be the first woman White House chief of staff, while many other cabinet positions have yet to be decided.
Trump had previously stated that he would give Robert F. Kennedy Jr. control over public health agencies, including overseeing women’s health. This was after Trump said he’d protect women “whether (they) like it or not.” Kennedy, a well-known conspiracy theorist and science denialist, has played a pivotal role in spreading misinformation about the risks of vaccines around the world.
American democracy will once again be under tremendous stress during another Trump administration. Trump’s defeat of Vice President Harris to become the 47th president of the United States signals that an intense time for the nation lies ahead. Republicans won races across the country up and down the ballot, seizing control of the Senate and possibly the House (although, as of now, many races are still too close to call). As we prepare for another four years under Trump, marginalized communities everywhere will have to stand in solidarity together to make it to the other side.
