WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Just four years earlier, Donald Trump was considered a political outcast. Now, he stands on the verge of reclaiming the presidency.

After facing significant scandals that involved four criminal trials, two impeachments, and a failed attempt to overturn the election, Trump ignored warnings that he might jeopardize American democracy and instead turned the political process into a form of validation.

Once rejected by voters in 2020 and shunned by many in his party after the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, he is now on the brink of regaining global power.

The individual once labeled a convicted felon is now poised to become the next commander in chief.

“What we have just seen is the greatest political comeback in American history,” stated Vice President-elect JD Vance to an enthusiastic crowd early Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where Trump supporters were gathered to see the election results.

The atmosphere was electrifying at Trump’s election night party as his victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris set in. Prominent supporters spoke of the historic nature of Trump’s resurgence, while others around the country expressed concern about potential retribution, authoritarian rule, and the degradation of democratic institutions under a leader who has suggested prosecuting his adversaries and using the military against them.

“This will shake the very foundations of our country; no one has tested the Constitution like Trump has,” remarked Ty Cobb, a former attorney for Trump, who has since become a critic.

Trump’s resurgence is historically significant—marking the first instance since Grover Cleveland in 1892 where a president who lost their reelection bid later reclaimed the presidency.

Just a few years ago, Trump’s political future appeared bleak. After losing to President Joe Biden, he refused to accept his defeat, inciting his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in an effort to disrupt the election certification.

In the wake of January 6, many leading Republicans criticized Trump. He withdrew to his Mar-a-Lago estate and looked to be banished from politics as his party and the nation moved forward without him.

However, Trump opted not to fade away. Instead, he revitalized his campaign and discovered many Republicans were also unwilling to turn the page. They continued to support him, with each scandal seeming to enhance his reputation among his base.

This was particularly true regarding the four criminal allegations that arose after he left office. These charges sparked outrage among his supporters and fueled his dominant win in the Republican primary earlier this year.

Rather than clinging to power weakly, Trump found a revitalized hold on the GOP. His 2024 victory showed that his appeal was wider than many of his detractors had imagined.

“The American people have delivered us a powerful and unprecedented mandate,” Trump proclaimed early Wednesday.

Trump famously claimed he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in New York and not lose support. His recent years have put that claim to the test.

He faced impeachment due to his actions on January 6 and currently faces criminal charges in Georgia and at the federal level regarding attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He has been convicted on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to an adult film star and is awaiting sentencing, in addition to facing charges of mishandling classified documents.

Trump stands as the first convicted felon to ascend to the presidency. Instead of the allegations pulling him down, he celebrated a larger victory than in 2016 and is on course to achieve a successful popular vote for the first time.

“The loyalty of his supporters is truly astonishing,” noted Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence, who chose not to endorse Trump and criticized him over the events of January 6.

Senior adviser to the Trump campaign, Tim Murtaugh, emphasized that the criminal charges faced by Trump are seen by his supporters as politically motivated.

There has been ongoing criticism of the former president, labelled as seeking revenge on those he perceives as his enemies, without any substantial proof that it’s politically driven.

“This is exactly what his rivals in politics are currently doing to him,” commented Murtaugh.

During his victory speech, Trump handed the microphone to UFC CEO Dana White, who described the victory as “karma.”

“This is the consequence when the system targets you,” White noted, adding, “They couldn’t halt him; he continues pushing forward without giving up.”

Murtaugh stated that for the last nine years, Democrats have depicted Trump as a villain, but the reality is that voters have a contrasting viewpoint.

“This may very well be the biggest communication blunder in the history of politics,” he stated.

However, opposition to Trump didn’t just come from Democrats. Many Republicans, who had worked in Trump’s administration, claimed he wasn’t suited for another term as president.

Former Chief of Staff John Kelly remarked shortly before the election that “Trump fits the general definition of a fascist, definitely.” Historians noted it was remarkable for so many officials from one administration to oppose their president’s reelection.

Former GOP Congress members Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger were among the Republican voices supporting Harris. Trump turned the critiques from within his own party into a badge of honor, asserting he was against the establishment from both sides.

“I believe it’s a mistake to view the situation strictly in terms of Republicans and Democrats now because that’s not the real divide,” stated Roger Stone, a long-time adviser to Trump who received a pardon from him after being found guilty of obstructing the congressional investigation into the 2016 election and of lying to authorities. “It’s a divide between elites and non-elites… I think this represents a fundamental shift in alignment.”

“So this is a much more profound development,” Stone added. “It signifies a personal achievement for him but it extends beyond that.”

(This story has been updated with additional details.)