WASHINGTON – Donald Trump, who lost the presidency in 2020 and was convicted of a crime in 2024, has reclaimed the White House through a unique campaign that leaned heavily on a familiar topic: the economy.

Despite criticism of its effectiveness, Trump’s turnout strategy successfully mobilized young men, Black men, and Hispanic voters to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris in crucial states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

The 2024 election echoing Trump’s 2016 win over Hillary Clinton, was also influenced by economic concerns, particularly the significant inflation seen during President Biden’s term.

“We were still too close to when inflation peaked,” noted Liz Mair, a Republican strategist critical of Trump.

“In numerous developed nations globally, voters tend to support any challenger to the incumbent when anger over rising grocery prices persists,” she elaborated.

While immigration remained a significant topic, Republican strategist Rick Gorka stated that the overarching trend across states was clear: “The economy trumps everything,” he remarked, humorously referencing Trump’s name.

Trump’s campaign relied heavily on a turnout strategy that raised questions during the election process.

The Trump campaign delegated much of its door-knocking and outreach to outside organizations, focusing on “low-propensity voters,” who are those less likely to vote, rather than “swing” voters who could be swayed toward either party.

Despite initial doubts, the strategy proved effective. Exit polls showed that Trump managed to gain support from various demographics, especially among young men, Black men, and Hispanics.

The campaign implemented different approaches aimed at diverse voter groups. For instance, Trump appeared on Joe Rogan’s popular podcast to connect with younger male voters. He also held events in urban areas with large populations of people of color.

Despite controversies during the campaign, including derogatory remarks about Latino communities and erratic statements regarding women voters, Trump still managed to resonate with Hispanic voters.

One widely publicized rally in Madison Square Garden before the election featured a comedian who made derogatory jokes about Puerto Rico.

In a subsequent interview with Tucker Carlson, Trump suggested that a notable opponent, Liz Cheney, deserved harsh treatment, saying she should be put in a war zone.

Even in the final days of the campaign, Trump portrayed himself as a protector of vulnerable groups, despite aides cautioning that his tone sounded condescending.

“I’m going to do it, whether or not the women agree,” Trump stated at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “I’m going to protect them.”

This election showcased a complex voter base with varied motivations, as many showed up at the polls despite Trump’s significant legal troubles, including multiple felony charges and a conviction.

Trump, who was found guilty in a hush money case earlier in May, is a historic figure as the first convicted felon to win a presidential election. He also became the first presidential candidate to win after losing the previous election since Grover Cleveland in 1892.

Trump faced numerous challenges during this election, including his defeat by President Biden in 2020; allegations related to The events of January 6, 2021, which included Trump’s insurrection, along with his two impeachments during his presidency, negative verdicts against him in civil fraud and sexual abuse lawsuits exceeding $500 million, a conviction in a New York case involving hush money, and significant opposition even from members of his original administration like former Vice President Mike Pence, have all significantly marked his political journey.

Trump’s ongoing threats to pursue legal action against political adversaries – potentially even using military force to suppress protests – led critics to label him as authoritarian and fascist.

Since his departure from office on January 20, 2021, Trump has energized his supporters by focusing on hot-button topics such as inflation, increasing living costs, transgender rights, tax reductions, relaxing business regulations, and notably towards the end of his campaign, issues related to illegal immigration and crimes associated with migrant populations.

Political analyst Lara Brown, author of *Jockeying for the American Presidency: The Political Opportunism of Aspirants*, stated that Trump thrived on the significant divisions among voters, by vilifying migrants and his political rivals.

According to Brown, Trump managed to convince a sufficient number of voters that he rightfully won the 2020 election and that he was deprived of victory due to purported voter fraud. These claims incited the January 6 insurrection and resulted in the former president facing extraordinary legal challenges in Washington, D.C., and Georgia, where he was charged with conspiring to overturn President Joe Biden’s election win.

Beyond targeting voters’ economic anxieties by amplifying their concerns over crime and immigration, while downplaying positive economic news, Brown commented that Trump “has prevailed in the manner typical of all authoritarians – through fear, animosity, and division.”

Trump and his advisors anticipated success since many voters perceived the Biden administration as ineffective, believing the legal challenges against Trump were politically motivated.

The Trump campaign strategically attempted to diminish Kamala Harris’ significant support among women voters, particularly those aligned with her stance on abortion rights, while reinforcing his backing from long-standing supporters, like non-college educated white voters and moderate Republicans.

Some moderates appeared to be influenced by Harris’ endorsements from esteemed Republicans, including former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, who previously held a leadership role in the House GOP.

In the early stages of his campaign, Trump emphasized economic issues and inflation. However, as economic indicators improved in the autumn – witnessing lower inflation rates and a flourishing stock market – he transitioned to discussing immigration, particularly focusing on crimes committed by migrants.

Mair noted that Trump’s victory was largely attributed to economic factors and concerns surrounding immigration. Additionally, she observed that Trump successfully encouraged people to overlook the events of January 6.