Washington, D.C. — November 7, 2024
In a historic political twist, Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, defeating Kamala Harris, the first Black and Asian American woman to run for the presidency on a major party ticket. This victory marks the second time Trump has defeated a female candidate – the first being Hillary Clinton in 2016, one of the most influential figures in American politics.
This result reveals an intriguing irony, given Trump’s controversial history regarding women, and raises questions about gender, power, and representation in American society.
With a 3% margin in the popular vote – roughly 4 million votes – and a decisive lead in the Electoral College (288 to 250), Trump proved his ability to mobilize a loyal voter base.
Harris’s victory would have been groundbreaking, elevating a woman of color to the nation’s highest office. Yet her loss suggests that, for a significant portion of the electorate, issues of gender and diversity remain secondary to the conservative values that Trump embodies.
Today, female representation in Congress has made strides, with women holding around 28% of the seats in the House and 25% in the Senate as of 2024. But the presidency remains out of reach. This disparity highlights a contradictory reality: while more than 90% of Americans support gender equality, many voters still seem hesitant to embrace the idea of a female president.
This resistance was evident in the 2024 race: Trump captured over 60% of the white vote and 55% of the male vote, while Harris garnered strong support with 85% of Black voters and over 70% of young female voters.
Despite robust backing from minorities and women, Harris was unable to overcome Trump’s consolidated advantage in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona – states that had been crucial for Joe Biden’s victory in 2020.
Trump, who faced multiple lawsuits and accusations of misconduct, including allegations of sexual harassment, appeared largely unaffected by these controversies in the eyes of his electorate. His base, particularly in rural regions and conservative states, saw these allegations as politically motivated, further strengthening their support.
For Harris and the Democratic Party, the 2024 loss signals a warning about the challenges of reaching moderate and conservative voters in a polarized country. With America’s demographic landscape becoming more diverse, the potential for a female or minority president is more tangible than ever. Yet the obstacles Harris faced in 2024 suggest that this shift still encounters resistance.
According to Pew Research Center, 60% of Democratic voters support progressive candidates, while 70% of Republicans view such agendas as a threat to traditional values.
Trump now cements his legacy as a figure who has not only challenged the political establishment but also cultural norms that shape perceptions of female leadership. His second defeat of a female candidate underscores America’s lingering reluctance to embrace a woman as president, especially in times of deep political division. Ultimately,
Trump’s return to the White House symbolizes more than a personal victory; it reflects a nation still sharply divided, where issues of gender, identity, and representation remain fault lines in the political and social landscape.
