In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the nation, Donald Trump has been re-elected as President of the United States, defeating incumbent Kamala Harris in a bitterly fought 2024 election. The billionaire real estate mogul and former reality TV star, who previously served a tumultuous term from 2017 to 2021, staged a remarkable political comeback despite facing numerous legal troubles and widespread criticism of his divisive rhetoric and controversial policies.
A Nation in Disbelief
As the election results trickled in on Tuesday night, a palpable sense of disbelief and despair gripped the nation. Harris, who had made history as the first woman and person of color to ascend to the vice presidency, had been widely favored to win the election, with polls showing her holding a steady lead over Trump in key battleground states. However, in a stunning upset reminiscent of the 2016 election, Trump managed to defy expectations and secure narrow victories in several crucial swing states, propelling him over the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to clinch the presidency.
The news of Trump’s victory was met with a mixture of shock, anger, and disbelief among his opponents, many of whom had hoped that the nation would reject his brand of divisive politics and embrace a more inclusive and progressive vision for the future. In cities across the country, protesters took to the streets to voice their opposition to the election results, with some holding signs reading “Not My President” and “Resist.”
Late Night Hosts React
The sense of shock and despair was palpable on late night television, where hosts struggled to come to terms with the election results. On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert opened his monologue with a blunt assessment of the situation: “Well f**k, it happened again,” he said. “After a bizarre and vicious campaign fueled by a desperate need not to go to jail, Donald Trump has won the 2024 election.”
Colbert went on to express his deep sense of loss and questioned his “fundamental belief in the goodness of humanity.” He noted that while some may argue that Trump’s victory would provide ample material for comedians, the reality was far more grim. “No one tells the guy who cleans the bathroom, ‘Wow, you must love it when someone has explosive diarrhea, there’s so much material for you to work with!'” he quipped.
“We had the choice between a prosecutor and a criminal and we chose the criminal to be president of the United States. More than half of this country voted for the criminal who’s planning to pardon himself for his crimes.”
– Jimmy Kimmel
On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, an emotional Kimmel fought back tears as he listed all those who would be hurt by a second Trump term, from women and children to immigrants, the middle class, and American democracy itself. “It was a terrible night for everyone who voted against him and guess what? It was a bad night for everyone who voted for him, too. You just don’t realize it yet,” he said.
The Path Forward
As the dust settles on the 2024 election, many Americans are left wondering what the future holds under a second Trump administration. With the nation more divided than ever, and trust in democratic institutions at an all-time low, some fear that the country may be entering a period of unprecedented political instability and social unrest.
However, amid the despair and uncertainty, there are also glimmers of hope. As Seth Meyers noted on Late Night, the fight for justice and democracy does not end with one election. “If you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who said no to Trump’s dark, dangerous vision for America last night, now is the time to stand in solidarity with our friends, with our neighbors, with the vulnerable communities, and begin the hard work of making real the world we want to live in,” he said.
Indeed, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the 2024 election, it will be up to all Americans to come together and work towards a more just, equitable, and democratic future. Whether through grassroots activism, political engagement, or simply by reaching out to those around us with compassion and understanding, each of us has a role to play in charting a new course for the country.
As a source close to the Harris campaign reportedly put it, “This is not the end. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter in the American story. And it’s up to all of us to write it.”
