Mary-Brittney Umeadi and Seth Eckert
As we approached the final stretch before the 2024 election, the GOP found itself in a state of both turmoil and anticipation, with key moments unfolding last week that shaped the party's future.
Trump’s campaign was showing no signs of slowing down, as his rallies drew large crowds, and his messaging continued to dominate conservative media.
However, last week saw a noticeable shift as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley ramped up their efforts to challenge Trump, each touting their vision for the future of the party.
DeSantis, fresh off a successful re-election as governor, has positioned himself as the heir to Trump's populist legacy while promising a more disciplined and policy-focused approach. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley, with her experience on the world stage, was appealing to moderates and Republicans looking for a break from Trump’s divisiveness.
In Congress, tensions were rising over the party's direction. A group of hard-right Republicans were pushing for deeper cuts to government spending and a more aggressive stance on immigration, while establishment figures worried about alienating swing voters. This internal divide threatened to weaken the GOP's unified message heading into the general election.
For the entire duration of the race, Vice President Kamala Harris was behind former President Trump by 30 to 100 electoral college votes.
It was then on that following Wednesday Nov. 6, that Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States, resulting in a loss for Harris.
Later that day at 4pm ET, Harris would deliver her concession speech at her alma mater, Howard University, where she asked her supporters to engage in a “peaceful transfer of power”. Yet, Harris had not given up as she stated, “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. "She would continue, urging her party members to ‘not give up’, stating that “This is not the time to throw up our hands, this is the time to roll up our sleeves”.
Later in the week on Thursday Nov. 7, at 11am ET, President Joe Biden address the nation regarding the result of the presidential election. Biden congratulated Trump on his victory and invited him to the White House to discuss the presidential transition of power, an offer that Trump had refused to Biden after the previous election. Biden ensured those watching, emphasizing the ‘importance of working to bring the country together’.
Despite Trump’s victory, as the GOP faces growing pains, all eyes will be on how these dynamics play out in the coming weeks, with the party’s ability to unite under a common cause.
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