US Election: Trump Gains Ground in White House Bid After Winning Two Key Swing States

In Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump secured significant victories in the battleground states of North Carolina and Georgia, bolstering his chances of reclaiming the White House. While results from five other states remain unannounced, Trump’s strong performance across key regions has put him in a favorable position, with 246 Electoral College votes compared to his opponent Kamala Harris’ 182. A candidate needs at least 270 votes to win the presidency.

Trump’s wins in North Carolina and Georgia leave Harris with a narrow path to victory, relying heavily on the Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—three states where she is currently trailing. These results indicate that Trump is the favored candidate in the ongoing race, even though the full outcome is still pending.

Trump’s Campaign Momentum and Key Victories

A campaign insider told Reuters that Trump plans to address supporters at a convention center near his Palm Beach, Florida, home. In addition to his presidential prospects, Republicans secured a majority in the United States Senate, flipping key Democratic seats in West Virginia and Ohio. The battle for control of the House of Representatives remains close, with Republicans holding a slim majority.

Trump’s support base has expanded, particularly among Hispanic voters and lower-income households. According to exit polls from Edison Research, Trump won 45% of Hispanic votes nationwide—13 percentage points higher than in 2020—though he still trailed Harris, who secured 53% of the Hispanic vote.

Economic Concerns Driving Voter Decisions

The economy was a dominant issue in this election, and voters whose top concern was financial well-being overwhelmingly supported Trump. About 31% of voters cited the economy as their primary issue, and of those, 79% voted for Trump, while 20% backed Harris. Furthermore, 45% of voters said their financial situation had worsened since 2020, with 80% of them supporting Trump and 17% choosing Harris.

Trump’s Wins in Georgia and North Carolina

Trump’s victories in Georgia and North Carolina, both critical battleground states, are pivotal for his path to the White House. These wins narrow Harris’ chances of reaching the required 270 electoral votes. Both states have 16 electoral votes each, and Trump holds a slim lead in Georgia (47% to 45%) and a narrow advantage in North Carolina (48% to 47%), according to recent polls.

Georgia, which swung Democratic four years ago, has now tipped back in Trump’s favor, making it increasingly difficult for Harris to secure a victory. With these states in play, Harris is now heavily dependent on the “blue wall” states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—which were critical to her previous victory but are now in contention.

Harris Faces Challenges, and Her Campaign Faces Growing Uncertainty

As the results rolled in, the atmosphere at Harris’ election watch party at Howard University in Washington, D.C., grew tense. By midnight, many attendees began to leave, and Harris did not take the stage to address the crowd. A top ally of Harris, Cedric Richmond, told reporters, “We will continue overnight to fight to make sure every vote is counted. Every voice has spoken. You won’t hear from the vice president tonight, but you will hear from her tomorrow. She will be back here tomorrow.”

The mood was markedly different at Trump’s campaign headquarters, where the former president planned to speak early Wednesday morning, signaling confidence in his lead.

State Results and Regional Shifts

Trump’s victory in Florida, a state that has become increasingly Republican in recent years, further solidified his position. He also claimed early wins in traditionally Republican states, including Texas, South Carolina, and Indiana. Meanwhile, Harris won Virginia—where Trump made a late campaign push—and secured solid Democratic strongholds, including New York, California, and New Mexico. Harris also claimed an Electoral College vote in Nebraska, a district contested by Republicans.