“We overcame obstacles that nobody ever thought we could,” Trump declared on election night, following a fiercely contested campaign. He promised to advocate for every American family and their future, stating, “This will truly be the golden age of America.”

Trump’s win in crucial battleground states—North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—brought his electoral vote total to 276, surpassing the 270 required for victory. With votes still being counted in other key states like Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona, Trump secured the presidency.

Exit polling shows strong support for Trump among White voters without a college degree, with increased support among Black and Latino men.

Throughout his two-year campaign, Trump highlighted inflation and the economy, a message that resonated with voters who felt financially worse off than in 2020. In battleground states and across the nation, a notable share of voters expressed negative views on their financial situation compared to four years ago.

In Georgia, independent voters leaned toward Trump by a 54% to 43% margin. This demographic had previously supported Biden in 2020 by a 9-point margin, emphasizing the significance of economic issues. In North Carolina, Trump and Harris shared independent support equally, though it reflected a dip from Biden’s backing in 2020.

Trump’s campaign also emphasized immigration policy, vowing repeatedly that he would initiate mass deportations if re-elected. Exit polling suggested voters viewed Trump as better positioned to handle illegal immigration at the southern border.

Trump’s unshakeable base, alongside turnout from undecided, low-propensity, and young male voters, fueled his success.

Trump is now the first convicted felon elected to the presidency. With sentencing for his federal conviction in the New York “hush money” case scheduled for Nov. 26, questions arise about the legal implications for a president-elect. He still faces three other criminal cases, leaving their outcomes in doubt.

At 78, Trump will be the oldest person to be inaugurated as president, surpassing the record previously held by President Biden, who withdrew from the 2024 race in July amid concerns about age and ability. Although Biden was also 78 when he took office in 2021, Trump will be several months older when inaugurated.

Trump’s path to the presidency also included surviving two assassination attempts. One incident took place during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, when a bullet grazed his ear, and another at his West Palm Beach golf club on Sept. 15, where a suspect fled after the Secret Service opened fire.