**Trump Wins Historic Political Comeback, Secures Presidency with Wisconsin Victory**
**WASHINGTON (AP)** — Donald Trump has made an extraordinary political comeback, winning the 2024 presidential election and becoming the 47th president of the United States. His victory marks a dramatic reversal from his loss four years ago, following his refusal to accept defeat, his involvement in the Capitol insurrection, felony convictions, and surviving two assassination attempts.
Trump clinched the presidency after securing Wisconsin, reaching the critical 270 electoral votes needed to win. Later in the day, he added Michigan to his tally, along with Pennsylvania — key battleground states that had flipped to President Joe Biden in 2020 but reverted to Trump in this election.
His Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, conceded the race in a call to Trump, offering her congratulations. President Biden also phoned Trump to express his congratulations and to begin the formal transition process. Shortly thereafter, Biden called Harris, acknowledging her efforts during the campaign.
International leaders were quick to offer their congratulations as well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron were among those who reached out to Trump following his victory.
Trump’s win underscores the enduring appeal of his combative, populist political style. His hard-edged rhetoric, which often included personal attacks on Harris, resonated with a large portion of American voters, particularly in the wake of widespread economic struggles and cultural divisions. His narrative of America being under siege by violent migrants and his portrayal of himself as the nation’s protector struck a chord with frustrated voters, particularly white working-class men.
“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president,” Trump told supporters in Florida, even before the results were officially confirmed.
In state after state, Trump exceeded his 2020 performance, while Harris struggled to match the success of Biden in winning critical swing states. With Republicans now controlling the Senate, Trump’s second term will likely be marked by a more unified Congress, although control of the House has yet to be determined.
“We’ve been through so much together, and today you showed up in record numbers to deliver a victory,” Trump said in his victory speech. “This was something special, and we’re going to pay you back.”
The news of Trump’s victory sent the U.S. stock market soaring, with Tesla, banks, and cryptocurrency seeing significant gains. Investors reacted positively to the outcome, signaling optimism about a smooth election and Trump’s return to the White House. In his second term, Trump has pledged to reshape the federal government and exact political retribution against his perceived enemies.
The election’s contentious nature, including two assassination attempts against Trump and the surprise emergence of a new Democratic challenger, made it one of the most dramatic in U.S. history. As Trump prepares to assume office on January 20, he faces multiple challenges, including political polarization at home and global crises that threaten American influence abroad.
Trump’s victory over Harris, the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket, is notable for marking the second time he has defeated a female opponent in a general election. Harris’s campaign faced difficulties in maintaining momentum after Biden’s withdrawal from the race. While she initially garnered strong enthusiasm, her campaign faltered as she struggled to connect with disillusioned voters and demonstrate a clear break from the policies of the outgoing administration.
Harris, who has yet to make a public appearance since the race was called, is scheduled to speak Wednesday afternoon at Howard University, where supporters had gathered for a watch party the night before, awaiting the final results.