The Aftermath of the 2024 Election and What to Expect

As we continue to reflect on the 2024 elections, it’s clear that this race was unlike any we’ve seen. Nearly a week ago, I mentioned how eager we were for it to end, as the discourse had become increasingly contentious. This election season was filled with moments that will be remembered for years to come, especially here in America. 

One of the most memorable events was Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City, which sparked a strong response from Mr. Biden, who reportedly insulted Trump supporters, labeling them as "garbage." In an unusual twist, Trump responded by campaigning from garbage trucks adorned with his banners—a bold move that resonated with many and ultimately drew a large crowd to the polls. The symbolism behind this choice highlighted Trump’s ability to turn criticism into a rallying point for his base, engaging everyday Americans who felt left out of mainstream politics.

Many, especially within educated middle-class America and the conservative right, saw Trump’s victory as inevitable. Even some on the left anticipated the outcome, reading the writing on the wall. Just a few months ago, I overheard two campaign aides discussing their choices, noting that women’s rights were at the forefront of the vice-presidential candidate’s platform. Women’s health has often been a euphemism for abortion rights, and her campaign was heavily focused on this issue. My question is why the heavy handedness of abortion?

While abortion rights remain crucial for many inAmerica, I couldn’t help but reflect on the economic struggles that most Americans are facing: rising gas prices, grocery costs, and inflation, and yet these topics remained largely unaddressed in her campaign. It wasn’t until later that other crucial issues, such as the economy and immigration, began to appear in her messaging. This election and its outcomes will be discussed for years, becoming a subject of academic study across the halls of higher education in American universities.

Trump won all the battleground states, securing 312 Electoral College votes compared to his opponent's 226. He also won the popular vote by nearly five million votes. The Senate swung in his favor, and the House of Reps is also on the verge of tilting to his party, giving him a rare full mandate for his agenda; a truly historic moment.

In fact, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not only Trump who won; America won too. A free, fair, and peaceful election is a massive victory, and we all as Americans should be proud of this accomplishment. With all the hating, I haven't heard of any of his opponents fleeing the country. May we all support the progress and success of America.

Regarding campaign finances, Forbes reported that despite raising an impressive $1.6 billion, the vice-president campaign now faces a deficit of over $20 million. She had major donors on her side including Bill Gates, his ex-wife Melinda French, Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg to name a few. Despite all this financial support, the campaign found itself running out of resources. This situation underscores a valuable lesson: political success in America isn’t always guaranteed by money alone. Someone may disagree with this assessment. Interestingly, Trump’s campaign, which raised approximately $1.1 billion, still has funds remaining. Trump’s strategy, similar to 2016, relied on minimal spending on advertisements and an ability to leverage media coverage—even the negative kind. He also honored free invitations to the likes of the JRE, PBD, Lex Friedman podcasts etc. The Joe Rogan podcast was the last big one before the elections and garnered over 40 million plus eyeballs and an endorsement leading to the elections.  Love him or hate him, Trump has mastered the art of drawing media attention to himself. Remember the phrase “fake news,” used and popularized during his first term, marked his combative approach to the press, and even as media outlets attempted to sway public opinion, but his loyal base remained steadfast, seemingly immune to negative portrayals.

Driving around town, one can see Trump’s supporters continue to fly flags, wear hats, and sport jackets emblazoned with his name boldly. Unlike 2016, people are not afraid of openly showing their support and admiration for the president-elect. It’s a reminder that although the campaign has concluded, the divide between supporters on either side of the political spectrum remains strong. For the Trump administration, the real work is just beginning. The appointments of executive officials, secretaries, ambassadors, and other federal officials who will run the government are only just the start. As I write this, I can imagine they are making calls to individuals from past governments, offering them positions in his administration. One of the mysteries of the U.S. government is that it’s so vast that nobody quite knows where it begins and ends here at home and abroad. America the Empire. 

Trump will certainly need trusted and capable individuals around him to succeed. Many Americans remember the issues his administration faced in its first term, such as frequent White House leaks, which served as a big distractions and weakened his agenda overall. Perhaps this time, the environment will be more secure and supportive, enabling a unified focus on setting America back on a path to success.

If recent reports are true, Trump and his team have even offered to help pay off his opponent’s campaign debt to promote national unity. Such a gesture, if genuine, would be honorable and might foster a spirit of healing in our polarized nation. Though the race is over, the challenges facing this nation are far from resolved. There is a great need for healing. Both sides of the political aisle will continue to fight for their diverse vision of America’s future, and in this new term, Trump’s team has a daunting task ahead. To amend, heal and serve ALL Americans. 

Let’s hope that with the right people in place, the focus will remain on building a brighter future for all Americans.

I remain your pal,  

Ronnie Law