Donald Trump has clinched a decisive victory in the 2024 US presidential election, sweeping all seven key battleground states, including Arizona, as confirmed by Edison Research on Saturday.
This win secures his path to the White House, with an estimated final total of 312 Electoral College votes, well beyond the 270 required to win the presidency.
Trump’s win in Arizona, a state that was crucial in 2020, capped off a strong performance in traditionally competitive states.
In addition to Arizona, the former president triumphed in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Nevada—seven states that are often seen as the deciding factors in presidential races.
In 2020, Joe Biden won six of these states, and Trump was left with just North Carolina.
Trump’s victory represents a stark reversal of his 2020 loss, when Biden secured 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232.
The win in Arizona, a longtime swing state, marks an important milestone in Trump’s campaign, underscoring his continued appeal in key regions of the country.
National popular vote breakdown
Trump has also led the national popular vote, with 74.6 million votes (50.5%), compared to Kamala Harris's 70.9 million votes (48%).
This outcome echoes the results of the 2016 election, in which Trump also secured 306 Electoral College votes against Hillary Clinton, despite losing the national popular vote.
The final result positions Trump to be sworn in as the 47th US president on January 20, 2025, and marks the beginning of a new chapter for US politics with his running mate, Senator JD Vance, set to become the new vice president.
Republicans poised for congressional control
In addition to his presidential victory, Trump’s success has helped Republicans strengthen their hold on Congress.
With the US House of Representatives on the verge of flipping, Republicans are just five seats away from regaining control, according to Edison Research.
As of Saturday, Republicans have won 213 seats in the 435-member House. This would give Trump a powerful platform to push his legislative agenda, which is expected to focus on tax cuts, deregulation, and immigration reforms.
The Senate also appears to be under Republican control, following a tight race. While the Democrats managed to hold onto some key seats, including a win by Senator Jacky Rosen in Nevada, Republicans are poised to take over the chamber, giving them full control of both Congress and the White House for the first time since 2020.
Biden and Trump to meet at the White House
As part of the transition process, President Joe Biden invited President-elect Trump to the White House for a formal meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting will be a crucial step in ensuring a smooth handover of power, as the two men prepare for the transition on January 20, 2025.
While Biden had initially sought reelection in 2024, he withdrew from the race in July following a series of missteps, including a difficult debate performance against Trump.
Biden, now nearing the end of his presidency, has agreed to meet with Trump in a show of cooperation, despite the contentious nature of the election.
The two leaders will meet in the Oval Office to discuss the transition, and it is expected to be their first face-to-face meeting since Trump’s victory was confirmed.
Biden, speaking to reporters on Saturday, said he would meet Trump with a focus on "the best interests of the country," though he did not elaborate on what he planned to discuss.
Looking Ahead to January 2025
With the election results nearly finalized, all eyes are now on the official inauguration on January 20, 2025. Trump’s return to the White House, after a tumultuous first term marked by controversies, will reshape the political landscape in the US and around the world.
His administration is expected to prioritize conservative policies on issues like immigration, tax cuts, and deregulation.
As Trump prepares to take office for a second term, the US political scene is set to witness major shifts, with Republicans poised to leverage their control of Congress to push through sweeping changes.
The coming weeks will be critical as the country prepares for the transition of power, and for Trump’s plans to implement his agenda.
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