Many journalists were hopeful that Kamala Harris could win the election as Donald Trump made a historic comeback in American political history by winning state after state. However, it became clear that Trump had won the election decisively, prompting some of Harris’ allies in the press to blame racism and sexism for her loss. Trump’s victory was seen as a result of a near-sweep of battleground states, leading to him being projected as the 47th president of the United States.
Harris ran a shortened campaign with overwhelming media coverage in her favor, while her opponent faced constant attacks. Despite her efforts, she was the incumbent in a change election, and many believed that Trump’s strategy of harsh rhetoric and personal attacks would only appeal to his base. Trump’s message of unity in his victory speech was seen as a stark contrast to his previous tone.
The media, particularly left-leaning commentators, had made dire predictions about a potential Trump victory, with some saying it could be America’s last election if he won. The outcome, which also included Republicans taking over the Senate, was a surprise to many and led to headlines like “America Hires a Strongman” and editorials warning of a perilous choice. The shock of Trump’s dominating win left many pundits questioning how it could have happened.
Despite Harris’ debate win and attempts to connect with voters, she struggled to attract support from key demographics like Black men and Latinos. Trump projected strength throughout his campaign, and even those who disliked his style acknowledged his successful first term and its impact on the economy. The question of how the media missed the mark so drastically was raised, with calls for Democrats and journalists to engage in a soul-searching process.
Trump’s ability to drive the news cycle with controversial statements and actions was seen as a key factor in his victory, with the media often being forced to cover his moves even when critical of him. The former president’s promises, such as mass deportations of immigrants, were not always believed to be achievable by his supporters. As calls for reflection and analysis were made on both the political and media fronts, the outcome of the 2024 election served as a harsh reality check for those who underestimated Trump’s appeal.
Overall, Trump’s victory was a stunning upset that exposed weaknesses in both the Democratic campaign and media coverage of the election. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the election, there is a recognition that a deep analysis of what went wrong must be undertaken in order to move forward. Trump’s ability to defy expectations and secure a second term will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on American politics and the media landscape.
