Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris in presidential race, NBC News projects

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

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

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

Trump defeated Harris’ bid to become the first woman elected president after she replaced 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 ability. 

Trump’s victory came despite what many thought was recent momentum for Harris over issues such as abortion rights that drew women to her candidacy and missteps by the Trump campaign. A comedian at his Madison Square Garden rally insulted Puerto Ricans with a “floating island of garbage” punchline. 

But Harris struggled with other issues — the war in Gaza was the main one —over which she 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 filled with exaggerations and inaccuracies. He called migrants “vermin” and charged they were committing violent crimes. He made wild accusations about schools helping transgender children transition without their parents’ consent. He attacked those he saw as enemies, evoking a vision of former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney being shot, he said because she was a war hawk.

He repeated his false claims that he, not Biden, had won the 2020 election and seemed to be preparing to challenge the 2024 results when he insisted there was rampant cheating during early voting.

Voters had pointed to these top concerns in this election cycle – the economy, including housing and gas costs and inflation, immigration, gender and race, democracy and abortion. 

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

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