Former President Donald Trump's Convincing Return to the White House

As of 1:15 p.m. (Vietnam time), with nearly 90% of the votes counted in the four battleground states of Georgia (16 electoral votes), North Carolina (16 votes), Wisconsin (10 votes), and Pennsylvania (19 votes), Mr. Trump has won 61 electoral votes, bringing the total number of electoral votes to 277. This number surpasses the threshold of 270 electoral votes needed to win the 2024 White House race.

The New York Times commented that Donald Trump entered the US presidential race with an unusual background. Despite being convicted of a felony and having a large number of unsympathetic people, the former US President still received support from a large number of loyal voters with experience running for president twice.

Mr. Trump has overcome all obstacles, presenting a powerful presence before voters who are looking to change the direction and policies of the United States under the administration of President Joe Biden and Ms. Kamala Harris.

From successful businessman to courageous politician

Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946 in Queens, New York City, the fourth of five children. His mother was Mary Anne, a Scottish woman. His father was Frederick Christ Trump, a real estate businessman.

Because of his hyperactive and stubborn personality, the young Trump was sent by his father to study at a military boarding school and graduated from the Wharton School of Economics, University of Pennsylvania, in 1968. He then joined the family business.

On January 8, 2004, Mr. Trump first appeared as a star in the reality TV show “The Apprentice.” The show portrayed a very ordinary Donald Trump who was very sharp in business opportunities. Through that, the younger generation in America got to know him more.

Mr. Trump announced his presidential candidacy at Trump Tower in Manhattan on June 16, 2015.

On May 3, 2016, he became the sole Republican candidate in the race for the White House. On November 8, he won the 2016 US presidential election, defeating his opponent Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Trump left behind some significant legacies in his first term – such as tax reform, reshaping the federal judiciary, reforming the criminal justice system, and establishing the Space Force.

One of the most memorable events of Mr. Trump's tenure was the October 2019 raid that killed Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the world's most wanted terrorist at the time, dealing a major blow to IS.

In the 2020 election, Mr. Trump lost to Mr. Joe Biden. The most serious defeat, which is considered the main reason why Mr. Trump could not be re-elected, was due to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This health crisis has had economic consequences, an issue that was previously considered Mr. Trump's greatest strength.

The chaotic journey back to the White House

Experts say chaos has become the new normal in former President Trump's journey back to the White House in 2024.

After months of legal battles, Mr Trump has won a convincing political victory on his first path back to the White House.

Less than a month after his criminal conviction, he traveled to Atlanta for the first and only presidential debate with Joe Biden.

The incumbent president's awkward debate performance has confused the Democratic Party and given Mr. Trump confidence in the race.

A few weeks later, a dramatic turn of events occurred when Mr. Trump became the target of an assassination attempt while campaigning in Pennsylvania on July 13.

As the gunfire erupted, Mr. Trump covered his ears and ducked. One of his supporters, a former volunteer fire chief sitting in the stands behind him, was hit and killed.

Secret Service agents rushed onto the stage to protect Mr Trump and began to lead him off the stage. But Mr Trump stopped, and with blood on his face, he defiantly raised his fist and shouted “fight”, a slogan that became a rallying cry for his supporters in the months that followed.

At the Republican National Convention in July this year, Mr. Trump officially accepted the nomination to become the party's presidential candidate, facing Ms. Kamala Harris - a new opponent when the race is only a few months away.

Mr Trump and Ms Harris had their only debate in September. After that, Mr Trump stepped up the campaign pace, holding more events than in June and July combined. But the month also saw another alarming turn, as Mr Trump survived another assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In the final weeks of the campaign, he continued to rally support from across the battleground states that political analysts believe will decide the election outcome.

Victory thanks to a strong "stronghold"

According to observers, in his third election, Mr. Trump won thanks to building solid advantages in terms of voters and policies.

First of all, we have to mention his loyal voters through three elections. The voters who support former President Trump in 2024 are almost the same as in 2020. He still retains the support of 94% of those who voted for him, including most of those who supported him in both 2016 and 2020.

Another advantage Mr. Trump has is his economic credibility. In multiple polls, Americans say the economy is their top concern as they prepare to vote in this election. This is understandable given that Americans have been dealing with high inflation for years.

Inflation in the United States rose just 2.1% year-over-year in September, and the economy grew at a robust 2.8% in the third quarter. But according to a New York Times/Siena College poll, 75% of voters say the economy is in bad shape.

Mr Trump also seized on the opportunity when the US Labor Department released a jobs report before the election that showed weak growth in the number of jobs, largely due to the impact of major storms and widespread strikes under Mr Biden.

Another aspect the former president focused on during his campaign was the threat and chaos caused by illegal immigration.

“With your vote on November 5, I will end inflation and end the crime that is flooding our country,” Mr. Trump emphasized.

In the last national poll, 15% of respondents said immigration was the most important issue in deciding their vote.

His approach to law and crime is also a plus with voters. In an era when issues of crime and public safety are at the forefront of political discussions, Mr. Trump’s emphasis on law and order resonates with many voters.

As the current administration is facing controversy over its handling of foreign affairs, especially the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, American voters want the former President’s experience and innovation. Americans trust Mr. Trump more on issues of war and peace.

A majority of voters say he has enough experience in foreign affairs. Mr. Trump has a significant lead in polls on which candidate would do better on policy toward the war in Ukraine, relations with China and the Israel-Hamas war.

With a convincing victory in this year's election, the New York-born politician once again defeated a female candidate. In 2016, Mr. Trump defeated former First Lady Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party.

In 2024, about 231 million Americans are eligible to vote, including about 161.42 million registered voters. Voters will elect the president and vice president, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate, and 11 state governorships.