Apple News Today: "In a Stunning Comeback, Trump Won. How Did We Get Here?"

Release Date: November 6, 2024
Host: Sumita Basu
Guest: Gideon Resnick

Election Night Overview

Sumita Basu opens the episode by announcing the historic election results: Donald Trump’s victory, marking his return as the 47th President of the United States. The win is characterized by several unprecedented milestones:

• Non-Consecutive Terms: Trump becomes the first president since the 1800s to serve non-consecutive terms.
• Age and Legal Status: At 78, he becomes the oldest person elected president and the first convicted felon to hold the nation’s highest office.

The victory was confirmed early in the morning, with Fox News and the Associated Press (AP) declaring Trump the winner after crucial battleground states shifted in his favor.

Notable Quote:

Donald Trump [00:21]: "The Fox News decision desk can now officially project that Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States."

Breaking Down the Victory

Gideon Resnick analyzes the unexpected sweep, emphasizing Trump’s widespread appeal across various demographics and regions.

• State Performance: Trump outperformed in nearly every state, including traditionally solidly blue states. Notable gains include Florida, where his margin increased from 3% in 2020 to over 10%.

• Demographic Shifts:

  • Latino Voters: Significant gains, with Trump winning areas like Osceola County in Florida and Star County in Texas, a historically Democratic stronghold since 1896.
  • Young Voters: Exit polls indicate a shift with younger voters showing increased support for Trump, partly influenced by his presence on social media and podcasts.
    • Savannah Sellers [04:48]: "I heard so many young people say to me in a positive way, also, he is a meme. His things travel far. It's objectively funny..."

Notable Quote:

Donald Trump [03:10]: "This campaign has been so historic in so many ways. We've built the biggest, the broadest, the most unified coalition."

Gender Dynamics in the Election

The gender gap was a focal point of discussion, with women slightly favoring Harris but not to the extent Democrats hoped.

• Exit Polls:

  • Women: 54% supported Harris, down from Biden’s 57% in 2020.
  • Men: 44% supported Trump, maintaining a similar trend to previous elections.

• State-Level Trends: The Washington Post highlighted that in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, women did not turn out as strongly for Harris as expected.

Voter Motivation and Sentiment

Resnick delves into the underlying reasons behind Trump’s resurgence:

• National Sentiment: A pervasive belief among Americans that the country is headed in the wrong direction, with 74% expressing this view in a recent ABC Ipsos poll.

• Economic Concerns: Despite positive economic indicators (2% inflation, strong job figures), many voters perceive the economy as stagnant or declining, a sentiment Trump capitalized on effectively.

Notable Quote:

David Urban [08:15]: "Over half of America feels very strongly about the things that Donald Trump feels strongly about... Maybe the Democratic Party needs to come back to the center."

Abortion and Ballot Measures

Abortion rights were a significant issue, with mixed outcomes across states:

• Failed Initiatives:

  • Florida: Pro-abortion measure fell just short of the 60% threshold.
  • South Dakota: Rejected a ballot measure to protect abortion access.

• Victories:

  • Colorado, Maryland, New York, Arizona, and Missouri: Voters passed measures to protect abortion rights, with Missouri notably undoing one of the most restrictive bans.

This split indicates that voters were willing to support Trump while also advocating for abortion rights, complicating the narrative on voter motivations.

Congressional Shifts

The Republican Party not only secured the presidency but also took control of the Senate, achieving two critical pickups:

• West Virginia: Jim Justice won the seat previously held by Democrat-turned-Independent Joe Manchin.

• Ohio: Bernie Moreno defeated Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in a record-breaking, highly contested race.

Sherrod Brown’s Concession Speech Highlights:

Unnamed Speaker [10:44]: "We believe that all work has dignity... This is a disappointment, but is not a failure."

The future of the House remains uncertain, with key races in California potentially influencing the overall outcome.

Looking Ahead: Trump’s Potential Second Term

Resnick speculates on the implications of a second Trump term:

• Senate Control: Enables Trump to influence Supreme Court appointments and passes his agenda with greater ease.

• Policy Proposals:

  • Immigration: Initiating mass deportations and imposing strict penalties.

    Donald Trump [11:47]: "But if they come back into our country, it's an automatic 10 years in jail..."

  • Trade: Imposing a 25% tariff on Mexican goods if border security demands are unmet.

  • Political Appointments: Bringing figures like Elon Musk and RFK Jr. into significant government roles.

Security and Governance Concerns: Trump’s rhetoric on handling political adversaries and using military force raised alarms among analysts about potential authoritarian tendencies.

Post-Election Legal Landscape

The episode also covers Trump’s ongoing legal challenges:

• New York Case: Trump faces sentencing on November 26th, becoming the first convicted felon elected president.

• Georgia Case: Election interference charges are pending until December.

• Federal Cases: Involving election interference and misuse of classified documents, overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is likely to be dismissed by the incoming administration.

• Civil Suits: Trump faces multiple civil cases related to January 6th and a defamation suit from the Central Park 5.

Election Day Safety and Firsts

Sumita Basu highlights safety concerns and historic firsts:

• Security Incidents:

  • Capitol Visitor Center Arrest: A man with a torch and flare gun was apprehended.
  • Bomb Threats: Dozens of polling locations in swing states received false bomb threats, leading to evacuations and extended voting hours. These threats, linked to Russian email domains, did not significantly impact voter turnout.

• Historic Milestones:

  • Senate Diversity: Two Black women—Lisa Blunt Rochester (Delaware) and Angela Brooks (Maryland)—serve as senators simultaneously.

  • First Openly Transgender Congress Member: Sarah McBride’s election in Delaware.

  • First Korean American Senator: Andy Kim’s victory in New Jersey, replacing Bob Menendez.

Future Outlook and Conclusions

Looking forward, the episode anticipates extensive analysis and reflection on the election results, focusing on:

• Democratic Party's Strategy: Addressing the loss and re-evaluating campaign strategies to regain competitiveness.

• Certification Process: Vice President Kamala Harris faces the critical task of certifying the election results on January 6th, 2025.

• National Stability: With increased polarization, the potential for political violence looms, as highlighted by the first exit polls projecting fears of election-related violence.

Final Insights: The election underscores a transformation in American politics, with Trump’s brand proving resilient and more influential than ever. The Democratic Party faces a need to reconnect with voters and address pervasive discontent to reclaim the White House and legislative seats in future elections.

For more detailed coverage and ongoing updates, listeners can access the full transcript and additional stories on the Apple News app.