6th November, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
By May 2024, he was a convicted felon. He was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments made to the pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels to ensure her silence about a sexual encounter between them; with costs related to the transaction included, the payments totaled $420,000.
But six months later, he has been catapulted to the number one office in the world, the president of the United States of America. That is the story of U.S.’ President-elect, Donald Trump.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had accused Trump of falsifying business records to cover other alleged crimes, including violations of federal campaign finance laws, attempts to unlawfully influence the 2016 election, and tax fraud. Although sentencing was originally set for September, it was postponed until November 26, after the election.
Despite his loss to Joe Biden in 2020 and an array of legal battles involving fraud, rape, and financial misconduct, Trump fought his way back to power, defying the odds. On November 5, he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, who had aimed to make history as the first female U.S. president, leaving the nation and world in astonishment.
Trump vs. Women: A Political Path Paved in Controversy
Throughout his political career, Trump has faced off against formidable female opponents. In 2016, he contended with Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State, who sought to become the first woman president. Initially, the odds appeared in her favour, but Trump delivered a political upset that reshaped U.S. history.
The 2016 election, known for its divisive and turbulent campaign, was marked by Trump’s right-wing populist messaging, opposition to political correctness, and promises to “Make America Great Again.” Clinton’s campaign, in contrast, focused on her experience and advocacy for racial, LGBT, and women’s rights, as well as inclusive capitalism. However, her popularity suffered due to public concerns over her ethics, an FBI investigation into her use of a private email server, and her controversial remarks labelling some Trump supporters as “deplorables.”
Although Clinton led in polls, Trump clinched crucial victories in swing states, ultimately securing the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million. His success in the Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—by a margin of less than 80,000 votes—was seen as the decisive factor in his Electoral College win.
Trump vs. Kamala Harris
After his defeat in 2020, Trump had faced a male opponent, Biden, who won handily. But as Biden’s campaign stumbled in his re-election bid, he endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee. Harris’s first debate with Trump was seen by many as a victory for her, and opinion polls predicted a close race. Nevertheless, Trump mounted an aggressive campaign, persuading Americans of his renewed vision for the country, despite ongoing fraud allegations, including his recent conviction.
This time, Trump won both the popular vote and the Electoral College, demonstrating his enduring influence and appeal.
In January 2025, Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th U.S. president. The world now waits to see how he will navigate his second term, with many anticipating a tenure marked by heightened drama, controversy, and unorthodox governance.
