Donald Trump wins 2024 US presidential election
Donald Trump has emerged victorious in the 2024 US presidential race, securing 277 electoral votes after clinching a decisive win in Wisconsin. His success was built on wins in key swing states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris marks a historic milestone: he becomes the first former president to return to power in non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in 1892. Additionally, Trump is the first individual convicted of a crime to be elected to the highest office in the United States.
While global leaders have sent congratulatory messages to the new president-elect, neither Harris nor President Joe Biden have publicly commented on the outcome.
The Republican Party also gained control of the Senate, flipping seats in Ohio and West Virginia.
Palestinians’ reactions to Trump’s win
In the Qalandiya refugee camp, located in the occupied West Bank, Palestinians have been following the election closely but remain pessimistic about any significant change.
“The names of presidents change, but US foreign policy in the region remains the same,” said Ahmad Lafi, a young artist from the camp. “There will be different faces, but they won’t stand with us—only smaller countries support the Palestinians.”
The camp’s residents are already facing uncertainty following Israel’s recent decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which provides essential services to the camp’s population. The decision follows President Trump’s 2018 cuts to UNRWA funding, exacerbating concerns over the future.
“The situation is only getting worse,” said Ibtisam, an elderly woman from the camp, reflecting widespread anxiety. Nuraldin Muter, a local shopkeeper, fears that Trump’s re-election could worsen their plight. “Israel and the US are close allies, and we’re afraid they’ll close down UNRWA services. The [Israeli] army raids the camp almost daily, and we fear this will only intensify.”
Many Palestinians have expressed despair over the ongoing violence in Gaza, with Samer, a taxi driver from the camp, noting, “I don’t expect any change for Palestinians in my lifetime. It’s going to be more of the same, if not worse.”
Global reactions to Trump’s victory
World leaders have sent congratulations to Trump following his victory. Leaders like India’s Narendra Modi and Hungary’s Viktor Orban have publicly praised his return to power, while others have offered more cautious statements.
For more details on how global leaders are responding to the election result, click here.
The climate challenge under Trump’s second term
If his first presidency is any indication, Trump’s second term could severely hinder efforts to combat climate change. During his first term, Trump rolled back key environmental regulations and withdrew from the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit global warming.
Trump’s campaign emphasized increased oil drilling, and in his victory speech, he referred to US oil and gas reserves as “liquid gold.” Trump has long downplayed climate change, even labeling it a “hoax.”
Experts warn that a second Trump presidency could derail the global shift towards green energy and undermine crucial climate goals.
The UK’s environmental group Just Stop Oil has already protested Trump’s win, with activists spraying orange paint on the US Embassy in London to voice their opposition. Police arrested two of the protesters on charges of criminal damage.
Swing states secure Trump’s path to victory
Swing states played a pivotal role in Trump’s victory. While some states consistently vote for one party or the other, swing states often determine the election outcome. This year, the key battlegrounds included Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Arizona.
Trump’s wins in Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin collectively gave him 61 electoral votes, pushing him over the 270 electoral vote threshold.
What trump’s presidency means for the global economy
Economists are concerned about the potential impact of a second Trump presidency on global financial stability. Trump’s fiscal policies, including promises to reduce taxes and increase spending, could exacerbate the US deficit and create uncertainty in global markets.
The imposition of tariffs, including a proposed 10% universal tariff on imports, could have far-reaching consequences for European economies. A 60% tariff on Chinese imports, a policy Trump previously pursued, would also have significant global ramifications.
Experts worry that such trade measures could harm the global economy, with ABN Amro’s Rogier Quaedvlieg noting that a non-universal import tariff would have a less severe impact on global markets.
