Dr Sudhir Parikh
IN a phenomenal comeback, Republican Donald John Trump defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris to become the 47th President of the United States, on October 6. .
Trump won 295 electoral colleges – crossing the majority mark of 270, while Harris secured 226 as the last reports came in. At 78, Trump will be the oldest President to set foot in the White House. He is also the second President to be elected after being defeated; the last one was Grover Cleveland who won his second term in 1893.
“We made history”, declared Trump at his victory celebration in Florida and added, “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again.”
“We’re going to make our country better than it ever has been. I said that many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason.” “And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness. And now we are going to fulfil that mission together. We’re going to fulfil that mission,” he said. For Trump, the victory is a vindication of his claims that the 2020 election was “stolen” and that he had defeated Joe Biden.
PM Modi congratulates
In a telephonic conversation with Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on his spectacular victory. “Had a great conversation with my friend, President @ realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory,” the PM said in a social media post. He further said, “Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen IndiaUS relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors”.
Trump will be sworn in at an inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025. HIS re-election defied two assassination attempts, two presidential impeachments, his criminal conviction and many other criminal charges. It also follows his attempt to overturn the 2020 election to stay in office. Although it will take days, or weeks, for states to announce the official results as they will have to complete formalities and the counting, by tradition the media declared him the winner based on the analysis of the counting data pouring.
The control of the House of Representatives hung in the balance, even though Republicans had the edge with 200 seats to Democrats’ 175. The Republicans also recaptured the Senate, assured of at least 51 seats in the 100-member body.
The election was a shocking disappointment for Harris who stepped in to carry the Democratic Party torch three months ago after President Joe Biden dropped out as questions arose over his mental and physical capabilities.
Indian second lady
Harris called up Trump to concede defeat. Harris spoke to Trump on November 6, her aide said. “(Harris) called President-elect Trump to congratulate him. She discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a President for all Americans,” the aide added. When Harris leaves office in January, there would still be a person of Indian origin in 1 Observatory Circle, the US Vice-President’s official residence – Usha Vance, the wife of JD Vance, Trump’s running mate.
Vance shared a heartfelt message on social media platform X, thanking his supporters, his wife Usha, and President-elect Trump
