Many journalists were clinging to the fading hope that Kamala Harris could somehow pull off a victory as Donald Trump won states in the biggest upset in American political history. .
By early this morning, it was clear that their worst feared outcome had come true, but it wasn't that close.
When Trump won Wisconsin, the blue wall came down, and with it his chances for vice president, but some members of the media are already accusing him of racism and sexism. As of this writing, he ended up nearly wiping out the battleground states.
FOX News Project Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to become 47th President of the United States
Harris did her best in a shortened campaign with overwhelmingly positive, celebrity-fueled media coverage compared to constant attacks on her opponent. However, she was the incumbent in the replacement election.
Many journalists were clinging to the fading hope that Kamala Harris could somehow pull off a victory as Donald Trump won states in the biggest upset in American political history. . (Bill Priano/Getty Images)
Many political geniuses said President Trump (the second president to retake the White House after losing it) was heading down a dark path with harsh rhetoric, personal attacks, and Arnold Palmer-like distractions. This, they believed, appealed only to his MAGA demographic and stood in contrast to Harris' sunny message of unity and middle-class upliftment.
“We're going to help our country recover,” President Trump said this morning in West Palm Beach, in sharp contrast to his previous tone.
For left-wing commentators who had argued that 2024 could be America's last election if Trump wins, the result of Republicans taking control of the Senate was a slap in the face.
Look at these New York Times news headlines.
“America hires powerful people.”
“Outcast, felon, president-elect: How Trump fought his way back to power.”
“Four more years of unpredictability: World prepares for Trump’s return.”
And the editorial page: “America makes a dangerous choice.''
“This could be a very good night for Kamala Harris,” MSNBC host Nicole Wallace said last night, when Trump had a 153-27 lead in the electoral count.
For left-wing commentators who had argued that 2024 could be America's last election if Trump wins, the result of Republicans taking control of the Senate was a slap in the face. (Getty Images)
There was a subdued tone on the network this morning. Joe Scarborough on “Morning Joe” said, “First of all, America is far more to the right than at any time in our lifetimes, even going back to the Reagan era. And Donald Trump is overwhelmingly moving to the right. “We won in a certain way,” he said.
Consider how much ink has been poured over whether President Trump would accept the results if he lost, and whether there would be violence.
As for the dire prediction that Trump's second term would see the guardrails removed and democracy destroyed, we'll soon find out whether that was an apocalyptic view.
As liberal pundits try to take away some of the Democratic sweep, CNN pundits accuse Trump of not having a plan, but wonder why Harris won't do better with black men and Latinos. The focus was on what wasn't there.
America is…far more to the right than at any time in our lifetimes.
Mr. Trump is projecting strength, and even many who were put off by his punitive style say that despite the trauma of January 6, good news for his previous term and strong economy. I had memories. Harris was plagued by the unpopularity of Joe Biden, who should have stepped down. sooner.
Today, the question that has left TV panel after panel stunned is: How did this happen?
But those who criticized President Trump for refusing to accept defeat in 2020 (something Trump demurred late in the game) now realize that you can't just love your country when it wins. It's my turn to accept it.
Harris hid from the press for a month, and even after winning the debate, she didn't have much new to say in the final weeks, often retreating to talking point answers.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump look on during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
I've been covering Donald Trump for decades, and just a few weeks ago I interviewed him in New York when he was in the heat of his game. He stuck to some of his most controversial positions, including saying that the “enemy within” was more of a threat than Russia or China, naming Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff.
The former and future presidents have promised, among other things, mass deportations of illegal immigrants. But his most dramatic rhetoric is often ignored by most supporters, who believe this is what he does on the campaign trail, much of which will never happen.
Trump constantly pushes the news agenda, forcing the media to cover him, and even negative headlines that help him by highlighting his larger points.
“Democrats need a moment of self-reflection,” Kate Bedingfield, Biden's former communications director, said on CNN.
It can also be exploited by the media. But I'm not holding my breath.
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
