Washington DC: In a stunning political comeback, Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, surpassing the critical 270 electoral votes and securing a total of 277 in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Trump’s victory marks an extraordinary return to the White House after his controversial exit in 2020. Despite refusing to accept his 2020 loss, which led to the January 6 Capitol riots, his felony convictions, and the fact that he survived two assassination attempts, the former president managed to reclaim the nation’s highest office. His win in Wisconsin proved pivotal, putting him over the necessary electoral threshold.

At 78 years old, Trump becomes the oldest person to ever hold the presidency, cementing his place in history. From his beginnings as a business tycoon to a reality TV star, to becoming the first US president to face criminal convictions while in office, Trump has consistently defied political norms — and his latest victory is no exception.

In his victory speech, Trump declared that he had won an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” from the American people. He promised to implement aggressive reforms aimed at reshaping the federal government, with a particular focus on retribution against political rivals. Trump’s combative rhetoric, coupled with his divisive policies, has energised his loyal base, paving the way for a potentially turbulent second term in the Oval Office.

The 2024 election took place amid heated debates on pressing issues such as inflation, immigration, and the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump, as he has done throughout his campaign, channelled the frustrations of many Americans. In his acceptance speech, he vowed to “end the illegal immigration crisis by closing the border and completing the wall, much of which I’ve already built.” He also made bold promises to tackle inflation, claiming it would “disappear completely” under his leadership.

In one of his most eye-catching promises, Trump declared his intention to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a war that has caused immense suffering across Europe. “I will bring peace to the world,” he told a jubilant crowd. “I will bring both sides to the table, and we will negotiate a deal that ends the violence and leads to prosperity.”

Trump’s victory is a major blow to the hopes of Kamala Harris’s supporters, who were eager to see her make history as the first female president of the United States. Despite Harris’s ambitions, Trump’s unwavering support base carried him to victory, dashing the Democratic dream of a Harris-led White House for another election cycle.

With the 2024 presidential race concluded, all eyes are now on how Trump plans to implement his policies and navigate the complex political landscape of his second term. For many, his return to power marks the continuation of a deeply polarised era in American politics.