As the final hours of the fiercely contested 2024 US presidential election approach, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are predicting victory with confidence. The election has been a rollercoaster of dramatic moments, including two assassination attempts on Trump and a felony conviction for the former Republican president. Harris’s rise to the top of the Democratic ticket came after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal due to pressure within his party.
With more than $2.6 billion spent on campaign ads, the race remains tight, with Trump and Harris neck-and-neck in the polls. Given the razor-thin margins, the outcome might not be known for days after Tuesday’s election. Trump has already signaled that he will challenge any potential defeat, echoing his actions in the 2020 election.
Pennsylvania: The Crucial Battleground
Both candidates have focused significant efforts on Pennsylvania, a state holding 19 key Electoral College votes. As one of the seven battleground states, Pennsylvania is crucial for both candidates to win. The state’s importance cannot be overstated; Trump’s victories in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2016 were pivotal in his win, while Biden reclaimed them in 2020, with Pennsylvania playing a decisive role in his victory.
Recent Presidential Election Results in Pennsylvania
- 2020: Joe Biden (D) defeated Donald Trump (R) by 1.16%
- 2016: Donald Trump (R) defeated Hillary Clinton (D) by 0.72%
- 2012: Barack Obama (D) defeated Mitt Romney (R) by 5.38%
Trump’s Final Campaign Push
In Pittsburgh, Trump addressed a crowd, delivering his final closing message. “We’ve been waiting four years for this,” Trump said, focusing on economic issues and criticizing Harris’s potential economic policies. Trump expressed confidence in winning Pennsylvania, citing his endorsement from popular podcaster Joe Rogan.
Harris’s Closing Remarks
Meanwhile, Harris campaigned fiercely in Pennsylvania, making numerous stops, including in Allentown, where she addressed the Puerto Rican community outraged by derogatory comments at a Trump rally. She made key visits to Pittsburgh and Reading, where she was joined by pop icon Katy Perry. The day culminated in a star-studded rally in Philadelphia with Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Oprah Winfrey.
Election Day Final Push
On the final campaign day, Trump made stops in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, before returning to Palm Beach, Florida, to cast his vote and await results. Harris, too, held five events in Pennsylvania, wrapping up with a major rally at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
As the election day ends, all eyes remain on Pennsylvania—a state with a rich political history, pivotal in both 2016 and 2020. This battleground state will again play a crucial role in deciding the next president of the United States.
