Trump’s victory: What worked for him, what failed for Harris

In a closely watched election, Donald Trump emerged victorious, capitalizing on strategic messaging, political promises, and voter dissatisfaction with the current administration. His win reflects issues that resonated widely with Americans across political divides, while Kamala Harris struggled to overcome its association with President Biden’s administration and a disillusioned electorate.

In a hard-fought race marked by deeply polarized issues, Donald Trump secured victory in the presidential election, leveraging a platform focused on economic promises, stricter immigration policies and appeals to concerns about the country’s direction. Despite various legal challenges and divisive rhetoric, Trump’s message resonated with a significant portion of the electorate, while Kamala Harris struggled to overcome her association with President Biden’s administration and a disillusioned electorate.

What worked for Trump

Economic promises and border security:

Trump’s rallying cry to “make America great again” struck a chord with voters worried about inflation and immigration. Exit polls from AP VoteCast indicate that about half of Trump’s supporters cited inflation as their top concern, while another half pointed to immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump’s promises to improve the economy and block immigration flows were central to his campaign appeal.

Appealing to religious voters and messages about gender:

Trump tapped into concerns about social issues, particularly by challenging Democrats’ support for transgender rights, a stance that resonated with religious and conservative voters. In addition, his hypermasculine appeal appeared to attract male voters, with data showing men largely leaning toward Trump, while women were more divided between the candidates.

Calls for tough measures and tariffs:

Trump proposed unprecedented measures such as a large-scale deportation effort and imposing tariffs on imports from hostile nations, including China. While such policies faced criticism from economists for potentially raising prices for Americans, they reinforced Trump’s message of strength and determination in defending US interests.

“Change” candidate:

Trump tapped into voter frustration with the country’s direction and positioned himself as an outsider and an agent of change, even after nine years in the political spotlight. Harris’ inability to distance himself from President Biden left Trump as the candidate who represented a break from the status quo, despite his previous tenure.

Focus on the “future of democracy”:

Although Trump’s history includes a refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and the turmoil in the Capitol on January 6, he still drew voters who felt that democracy was at stake. About a third of Trump’s supporters cited “the future of democracy” as a key reason for their vote, highlighting the effectiveness of his framing around patriotism and defense of traditional values.

What didn’t work for Harris

Biden Ties and Economic Realities:

Harris faced an uphill battle due to public dissatisfaction with the current administration. Although metrics showed positive economic indicators, Trump was able to paint a different picture and convince voters that inflation and economic hardship demanded his leadership. Harris struggled to counter this narrative effectively, even though traditional economic indicators were generally favorable.

Legal controversy’s limited impact on Trump’s support:

Trump’s criminal convictions and ongoing impeachment proved insufficient to deter millions of voters. Only about 40% of voters considered him morally fit for the presidency, compared to over half in favor Harris. Trump’s legal issues may have bolstered his support, bolstering his narrative of victimhood and purported political alignment.

Difficulties rallying on abortion after Roe:

Despite the prominence of abortion as an issue after Roe v. Wade, Harriss stance on reproductive rights did not generate enough support to win over Trump’s base. While half of female voters favored Harris, Trump’s appeal among male voters and the consistent gender distribution in voting patterns from 2020 remained largely unchanged.

Polarizing rhetoric from both sides:

The campaign saw both candidates escalate their rhetoric, with Trump labeled Harris a “communist” and “fascist” and Harris returned similar criticism. This rhetoric may have alienated undecided voters who were tired of divisive politics.

TrumpThe success underscores the strength of his message on core conservative values, economic security and immigration. Harris’ defeat reveals the difficulty of mobilizing an already wary electorate.