Blue Wall Crumbles: How Trump's Stunning Win Could Shake Up American Politics

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election against Kamala Harris, making a surprising political comeback. His victory could lead to significant changes in American democracy, affect the country's relationships with its allies, and create uncertainty in global markets.

Trump's decisive win brings an end to a turbulent presidential race. During the campaign, the billionaire Republican survived two assassination attempts and a criminal conviction. Additionally, the race took an unexpected turn when President Joe Biden dropped out of his re-election bid, leading to Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic candidate at the last minute.

Photo Credit: PTI

The president-elect made significant gains against the Democrats in 48 out of 50 states. He won decisively in the Midwestern "blue wall" states, which Harris had hoped would secure her victory. Trump was also on course to win the popular vote, a feat no Republican has achieved since George W. Bush in 2004.

Blue Wall States : These are states that usually vote for Democrats in presidential elections, especially in the Midwest, like Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. They are seen as strongholds but can occasionally swing to Republicans, as seen in this election.

Popular Vote: This is the total number of votes cast by all voters nationwide. It shows who got the most votes overall but doesn't always decide the election winner due to the Electoral College.

Trump secured the presidency by winning Wisconsin, which gave him the majority of Electoral College votes needed, according to the Associated Press.

In his victory speech at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump said, "America has given us a strong and historic mandate." He predicted a "golden age" for the country under his leadership.

Republicans gained control of the US Senate and appeared likely to keep their majority in the House of Representatives, with nearly 60 races still undecided. Controlling Congress would give Trump more power to push his conservative agenda for the US economy.

In an early response from abroad, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's win as "history's greatest comeback" and called it a "huge victory" in a post on X.

The US dollar jumped sharply, heading for its largest daily increase in two years, as investors believed Trump's economic policies would lead to stronger growth and higher inflation.

The US dollar rose by 1.6% against other major currencies, while Treasury yields increased as people expected heavy borrowing under Trump's second term.

Wall Street stocks were set for significant gains when markets opened on Wednesday, with S&P 500 futures rising by 2.3%.

At 78, Trump will become the oldest US president ever sworn in this January. His vice president, 40-year-old Ohio senator JD Vance, will be one of the youngest in US history.

Trump will return to the White House four years after his first term ended in controversy. This included his efforts to challenge the election he lost to Biden and the attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.

Trump will take charge of a deeply divided country, but voters were willing to look past his previous actions and heated campaign. Instead, they held Harris responsible for high inflation, global conflicts, and rising immigration, which Republicans blamed on Biden's policies.

The Democratic president, who started his term vowing to "restore the soul" of a divided nation, is now leaving office with low approval. He will pass leadership to Trump, a man he often warned was a serious threat to democracy.

Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, praised Trump's win, stating the party is "ready and prepared to quickly move forward with Donald Trump's America First agenda," according to the Financial Times.

Trump, a leading figure in global populism, is returning to power and is expected to make major policy changes that will have significant effects both in the US and around the world.

In the US, Trump has promised to introduce large tax cuts for individuals and businesses, carry out mass arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants, and take action against his political opponents.

According to the Financial Times, senior officials from Trump's first administration have often warned about his authoritarian behavior and unpredictable leadership. John Kelly, his former White House chief of staff, even said Trump fit the"general definition of a fascist."

Internationally, the US's trading partners and allies should expect Trump to impose much higher tariffs than during his first term. This could disrupt the global economy and create tensions with allies in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said he was "ready to work" with Trump, while UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated him on his "historic victory."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Donald Trump on his comeback as President. Describing Trump as "my friend", the Prime Minister said in a post on X, "Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory."

In the Middle East, Trump has vowed to be tougher on Iran compared to Biden and to address the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, though he hasn't explained his plans in detail.

Trump is likely to pressure Ukraine to negotiate a settlement with Russia regarding its invasion of the country.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Trump on Wednesday, posting on X that the president-elect's "peace through strength" strategy in global affairs is the right approach to help bring a just peace closer in Ukraine.

Trump's return to the White House, eight years after his surprise win over Hillary Clinton, could also be a personal legal win for him, as he was facing potential prison time from four separate criminal cases.

Earlier this year, Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of a crime when a New York jury found him guilty of nearly 30 charges related to "hush money" payments made to a porn star.

Trump is also facing charges in two federal cases-one for mishandling classified documents and another for trying to overturn the 2020 election. As president, he could pressure the Department of Justice to drop these federal cases.

In his second term, Trump will have more support from the Republican Party in Congress. Many of his critics from the traditional Republican establishment have either lost their seats or now back his leadership.