From political outcast to president: Donald Trump rises to reclaim the White House
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Just four years ago, Donald Trump was seen as a political outcast. Today, he stands on the brink of becoming president again.
Emerging from a series of scandals marked by multiple criminal charges, two impeachments, and a failed insurrection, Trump overcame profound concerns that he could dismantle American democracy, ultimately using the democratic process to assert his comeback.
A politician who faced rejection from voters in 2020 and lost the support of many in his own party after the January 6, 2021 insurrection is now ready to reclaim a position of immense power.
This convicted felon is set to be the next commander in chief.
“We just witnessed the greatest political comeback in U.S. history,” remarked Vice President-elect JD Vance to an enthusiastic crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center early Wednesday morning, where Trump’s supporters gathered for the election results.
The atmosphere at Trump’s election night party was charged with excitement as it became clear that he had defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. His loyal followers spoke about the historic significance of Trump’s return, even as many across the nation expressed worries about potential retaliation, authoritarian rule, and the threat to democratic governance from a leader known for threatening to target his opponents and mobilize the military against them.
“This will fundamentally shake the very foundations of our country; no one has ever pushed the Constitution as hard as Trump has,” stated Ty Cobb, who was an attorney during Trump’s presidency and now offers criticism.
Trump’s resurgence marks a historic moment as he becomes the first president since Grover Cleveland in 1892 to win back the presidency after losing a reelection bid.
Four years prior, Trump’s political future appeared bleak. Following his loss to President Joe Biden, he refused to accept the results, inciting his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in an effort to disrupt the certification of the Democratic victory.
The repercussions of January 6 were swift, with many top Republicans denouncing Trump’s actions. He retreated to his Mar-a-Lago estate, seemingly facing a political exile as his party and the nation moved forward without him.
However, Trump did not fade away. Instead, he intensified his efforts to return to power and discovered that many Republicans were still aligned with him, viewing each scandal as a badge of honor among his supporters.
This sentiment was particularly evident with regard to the four criminal charges Trump faced after leaving office, which fueled outrage among his base and contributed to his overwhelming success in the GOP primary earlier this year.
Rather than remaining an outcast, Trump solidified his influence over the GOP. His 2024 victory demonstrated his broader appeal than critics had anticipated.
“America has granted us an extraordinary and powerful mandate,” Trump proclaimed early Wednesday.
Trump once claimed he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose any supporters. His last four years certainly put that claim to the test.
He was impeached due to his conduct related to January 6 and faces criminal charges at both the state level in Georgia and the federal level for trying to overturn the 2020 election results. He was also convicted of 34 felonies for paying hush money to an adult film star to hide an affair, and he is awaiting sentencing. Additionally, he faces charges over mishandling classified documents.
Now, Trump holds the title of first convicted felon to assume the presidency. Instead of these legal challenges diminishing his political capital, he achieved an even larger victory than in 2016, and he is set to claim the popular vote for the first time.
“His support remains remarkably steadfast,” noted Marc Short, who was chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence, who has publicly criticized Trump and declined to endorse him.
Trump campaign senior adviser Tim Murtaugh stated that the legal battles Trump faces are viewed by his supporters as politically motivated.
The accusations against Trump were made even without any proof that they were politically driven, which weakened the image of him as a revengeful leader seeking vengeance on his adversaries.
Murtaugh pointed out, “This is exactly what Trump’s political rivals are doing to him at present.”
During his victory address, Trump passed the microphone to UFC CEO Dana White, who described the outcome as “karma.”
“This is the result when the establishment targets you,” White remarked, further stating, “They couldn’t stop him; he keeps pushing ahead and never gives up.”
Murtaugh noted that for the last nine years, Democrats have characterized Trump as a villain, but now they must confront the reality that voters have a completely different perception.
“This can only be seen as potentially the biggest communication failure in political history,” he stated.
However, the opposition to Trump wasn’t exclusive to Democrats. Numerous Republicans who worked in Trump’s administration deemed him unsuitable for another term.
Just before the election, former Chief of Staff John Kelly stated that “Trump certainly fits the general definition of fascist.” Historians noted it was unprecedented for so many officials from a president’s own team to oppose his reelection.
Former Republican lawmakers Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger were part of a significant group of Republicans endorsing Harris. Trump transformed the internal criticism he faced from his party into a badge of honor, claiming he was battling the establishment from both sides.
Longtime Trump advisor Roger Stone commented, “I think it’s a mistake to see things through the lens of just Republicans and Democrats anymore, as that’s not the real division.” He suggested that the true divide is between the elite and the non-elite, adding, “I believe this is a permanent shift.”
“Thus, this victory is much more significant,” Stone continued. “While it’s a personal win for him, it represents something greater.”
(This story has been updated with additional details.)`