The 2024 US presidential race is heating up, with millions of Americans having cast their votes, and the results are poised to rewrite history. The Republican nominee, Donald Trump, and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, are locked in a fierce battle, each securing significant victories across the nation.
According to AP projections, Trump has garnered 214 electoral votes from 23 states, including crucial wins in Texas and Florida. Harris, on the other hand, has secured 179 electoral votes across 12 states. This election has been anything but ordinary, marked by the surprising suspension of President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign and his endorsement of Vice President Harris. Adding fuel to the fire were the assassination attempts on Trump, further intensifying the drama surrounding the race.
However, what truly sets this election apart is the potential for groundbreaking milestones. A victory for Harris would make her the first female president of the United States, a historic feat. Conversely, a Trump win would mark him as the second president to serve non-consecutive terms in US history, a distinction last achieved by Grover Cleveland, who served two separate terms in the White House.
Here’s a deeper dive into the unprecedented historical implications of this election:
Second President to Serve Non-Consecutive Terms:
If elected, Trump would become the second president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms. Grover Cleveland, who held office from 1885 to 1889 and again from 1893 to 1897, holds the current record. Trump previously served as president from 2016 to 2020, defeating Hillary Clinton, but lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, ending his first consecutive term.
Oldest President Elected:
A Trump victory would also see him become the oldest person to be elected president in US history. Biden, the current president, who will turn 82 on November 20th, is the oldest sitting president. He opted out of seeking re-election, citing concerns about his age and mental fitness.
First Convicted Felon to Hold Office:
Trump, currently facing felony charges, would be the first US president to hold office while under legal indictment. In May, a New York jury found Trump guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business documents related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence about their alleged affair.
Trump, who faces further accusations of sexual misconduct from numerous women, has denounced the trial as a “rigged, disgraceful” affair. His sentencing is scheduled for November 26th.
Twice-Impeached President:
A Trump win would make him the only US president to face impeachment proceedings twice during his presidency. Impeachment is the formal process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing. If found guilty during a trial, the official may be removed from office.
Trump faced his first impeachment in 2019, initiated by the House, for his dealings with Ukraine. Accusations included improperly seeking assistance from the country to bolster his re-election chances. Despite the House passing the charges, the Senate acquitted him in 2020.
The second impeachment occurred in 2021, following the violent attack on the US Capitol. Trump was charged with “incitement of insurrection,” but once again, the Senate acquitted him, this time after he had left office.
This election holds the potential for significant historical shifts. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest updates from the US presidential elections, and witness firsthand how this race will shape the future of the United States.
