Now that Donald Trump and the GOP have claimed the White House, there is a barrage of accusations and counter-accusations that seem like a futile attempt to grasp at straws.
The United States is still waiting for its first female president, with Kamala Harris’s defeat ending the country’s 248-year long streak of male leadership.
In her concession speech, Harris urged Americans to remain hopeful and empowered, saying, “Never stop trying to make the world a better place, you have the power… When someone tells you that something is impossible So don’t you ever listen to him?” Because this has never been done before.”
Post-election analysis points to a variety of factors that contributed to Harris’ defeat. Some Democrats blame the decision to replace Harris with Joe Biden, while others criticize Biden’s late withdrawal from the race.
Progressives argue that the Biden administration’s stance on Israel and Harris’s efforts to appeal to moderates and anti-Trump Republicans alienate key voter groups.
Harris is anticipated to be close to the Biden administration’s Israel policy, which some see as inadequate in addressing Palestinian concerns.
Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders suggests that the Democratic Party’s neglect of working class issues exacerbated by inflation caused him to lose votes. “It should be no big surprise that a Democratic Party that has abandoned working-class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,” Sanders posted this on his X account.
Harris was appointed as the Democratic presidential nominee, not elected, potentially affecting her legitimacy. Analysts argue that Trump’s stances on immigration, the economy, and foreign wars, though sometimes controversial, resonate with many Americans.
Meanwhile, Trump’s support among black voters increased from 8% in 2020 to 13% in 2024, and from 32% in 2020 to 45% in 2024 among Hispanic voters.
Kamala Harris’s defeat in the election was not just about policy differences or Trump’s strength as an opponent. It is about a deep story of identity, strategy and time.
It is arguable that Harris never fully acknowledged the historic nature of her candidacy. She has downplayed her race and gender by not leaning into the powerful symbolism of being the first black woman to hold the presidency. They avoided making identity the central theme so they missed the opportunity to turn it into a call for change.
As the country reflects on this election, it is clear that complex factors contributed to Harris’s defeat. The search for answers will likely continue, with many questions remaining about the future of American politics.
