BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja with Agency Report
Donald Trump of the Republican Party on Wednesday, October 6, won the 2024 United States Presidential election despite dissenting voices.
He defeated his closest rival, Kamala Harris of Democratic Party to poll 301 electoral votes as against the 270 benchmark needed by each candidates to secure the White House.
Trump scored 301 electoral votes amounting to 74,263,792 votes, approximately 50.5%, while Harris got 226 electoral votes, amounting to amounting to 70,355,827 votes (47.9%)
Jill Stein of Green Party emerged third with 0 electoral votes and got 685,139 votes (0.5%), while Robert Kennedy of Independent also secured 0 electoral college with 664,792 votes (0.5%) and placed fourth.
Chase Oliver of Libertarian Party emerged fifth with 0 electoral votes and secured 601,132 votes (0.4%).
In addition, Trump won in the key states of Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina known as the three largest battlegrounds, a situation that left Harris speechless.
Already, Trump's Democratic party rival, Harris called him to concede defeat on Wednesday before delivering remarks at Howard University in Washington, DC.
World Leaders Excitement
As Donald Trump is set to mount the saddle at the White House for the second term in office, world leaders have congratulated the businessman-turned-politician for his bravery in winning the heart of Americans.
Below are some of the world leaders that praised the incoming Commander- in-Chief of the world's most powerful military and largest economy in the world.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, describing his election performance as history's greatest comeback.
"Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory, "Netanyahu said.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauded Trump over his impressive election victory, adding that he looked forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump's decisive leadership."
In a social media post, he said: "I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-US strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
"I was interested in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit our nations.
"I appreciate President Trump's commitment to peace through strength approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together."
Russia's President, Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated Trump for his presidential win, just as he praised him for his bravery during the July assassination attempt.
At an international forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin added, "His (Trump) behavior at the moment of an attempt on his life left an impression on me. He turned out to be a brave man. His desire to restore relations with Russia and to help end the Ukrainian crisis, in my opinion, deserves attention at least."
Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu also congratulated President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga revealed that Tinubu looked forward to strengthening the relations between Nigeria and the United States in the midst of the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
He said: "Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.
"Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership."
Tinubu noted that with Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.
While praising Americans for their commitment to democracy, he acknowledged the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events.
He was optimistic that President Trump would bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
Policy Brouhaha
During the presidential campaign, many persons spoke against the choice of Trump as the Republican Party candidate. From Europe down to Asia, Africa and Arabs, the population suggested that Trump may likely whittle down the powers of the US with his harsh policies, if he eventually wins the presidential race.
They recalled with nostalgia during his first term as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, that Trump enacted more anti-LGBTQIA+ policies than any previous administration with devastating consequences, which they believed hurts Americans till date.
LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual, while the plus sign (+) represents other gender and sexual identities that are not included in the acronym.
The report titled: "Trump-Pence Administration policies undermine LGBTQ health equity", is the fourth annual analysis released by The Fenway Institute in 2020, assessing the Trump administration’s policies affecting the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people.
During President Trump’s first term in office, LGBTQIA+ people and people living with HIV became more vulnerable to discrimination in health care, social services, employment, education, and access to basic government services.
At least two transgender women seeking asylum in the United States who were detained in facilities that have been sued for their alleged abuse of LGBTQIA+ migrants died. Also, two initiatives by the Trump Administration aimed at improving the conditions of LGBTQIA+ people around the world and ending the transmission of HIV were undermined by the administration’s anti-LGBTQIA+ policies.
In June, 2020, the Trump administration repealed all health care regulations that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The regulations prohibited discrimination toward the provision of public and private health insurance, including Medicaid, the benefit design practices of health insurance issuers covered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and services offered by the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Other examples of actions taken by the Trump's administration that undermined the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people and people living with HIV include: ending the practice of issuing G-4 visas to same-sex domestic partners of foreign diplomats or employees of international organisations such as the World Bank or the United Nations, who were working and living in the United States.
Also, rescinding a Housing and Urban Development non-discrimination provision that protected the right of transgender people to access Federally funded homeless shelters consistent with their gender identity, among others.
Ukraine Crisis
Already, Trump has vowed to end the war in Ukraine before inauguration day, but currently lacks presidential powers to execute his plans since he is yet to be sworn in. He also promised to end ObamaCare.
"After all we have been through together, we stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history. You watch, it's going to be so good, it's going to be so much fun. It'll be nasty a little bit at times, and maybe at the beginning, in particular, but it's going to be something, "Trump added.
Deportation
Trump has vowed to commence mass deportation of migrants. This was contained in his first-term policies, which targeted illegal border crossings, while promising to initiate new restrictions.
He pledged to limit access to asylum at the US-Mexico border and to embark on the biggest deportation effort in American history, that may likely trigger legal battles and opposition from Democrats in Congress.
Trump assured that he will engage the services of National Guard and if necessary, Federal Troops, to achieve his objective, though he did not rule out the possibility of setting up camps for yet-to-be announced deportees.
The newly elected President promised that he would end automatic citizenship for children born to immigrants, a move that would likely taunt the US Constitution's 14th Amendment.
He promised to revoke protected legal status for some populations such as Haitians or Venezuelans.
Irrespective of dissenting voices, Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of US on January 20, 2025, as specified by the Constitution's 20th Amendment.
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