Former President Donald Trump won a second term in the White House, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in a race that showed concerns about the economy outweighed those about reproductive rights and democratic norms.

As in 2016, Trump blew up the so-called Blue Wall by taking Pennsylvania.

Heading into Election Day, polls showed the race to be exceptionally close as both candidates focused on a small group of voters in key swing states.

Trump defeated Harris’ bid to become the first woman elected president after replacing President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket. Biden stepped aside after a disastrous debate with the Republican nominee that raised questions about his age and abilities.

Trump’s victory came despite what many saw as a recent push for Harris on issues like abortion rights, which drew women to her candidacy, and missteps by Trump’s campaign. A comedian at his rally in Madison Square Garden insulted Puerto Ricans with a “floating island of trash.”

But Harris has struggled with other issues — the Gaza war being the main one — on which he has alienated many traditional Democratic voters. And at his rallies, Trump blamed Harris for a struggling economy and rising inflation.

Throughout his campaign, Trump presented a dark vision of America, and one that fact-checkers found full of exaggerations and inaccuracies. He called the migrants “parasites” and accused them of committing violent crimes. He made wild allegations about schools helping transgender children transition without their parents’ consent. He attacked those he saw as enemies, conjuring a vision of former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney being shot, he said, because he was a war hawk.

He repeated his false claims that he, not Biden, won the 2020 election and appeared to be preparing to challenge the 2024 results when he insisted there had been early voting fraud.

Voters highlighted these major concerns this election cycle – the economy, including housing and gas costs and inflation, immigration, gender and race, democracy and abortion.

Once back in office, Trump has talked about deporting millions of immigrants, reversing Biden’s policies to protect the environment, installing loyalists in key government positions and dismantling what he calls the “deep state,” imposing high tariffs to goods from China and tax reduction. .

He was re-elected after being found guilty of illegally influencing the 2016 election by quietly making payments to a porn actress. He faces federal charges over his efforts to stay in the White House after the 2020 election and state charges in Georgia.