Who Will Win the 2024 U.S. Election: Trump vs. Kamala Harris?

Donald Trump: Key Achievements and Report

Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, continues to be a dominant force in American politics. His time in office (2017–2021) was marked by polarizing policies, but many of his supporters see his presidency as a period of economic growth and assertive foreign policy.

Key Achievements:

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017):

  One of Trump's hallmark achievements was passing a comprehensive tax reform that lowered corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%, which supporters argue boosted the economy by encouraging investment and job creation. However, critics say the cuts primarily benefited wealthy individuals and corporations.

• Deregulation:

  Trump aggressively rolled back regulations, particularly in the environmental and financial sectors. His administration aimed to reduce government oversight, which it argued would lead to economic expansion, especially in industries like energy.

• Economic Growth Pre-COVID-19:

  Under Trump’s presidency, the U.S. economy experienced strong growth, with the unemployment rate reaching a 50-year low by early 2020. His administration touted job creation, especially in manufacturing, and stock market performance as major successes.

• Criminal Justice Reform (First Step Act):

  In a rare bipartisan achievement, Trump signed the First Step Act into law, which reformed sentencing guidelines, reduced mandatory minimums, and allowed early release for nonviolent offenders. This move was welcomed by criminal justice advocates as a major step forward.

• Foreign Policy and Trade:

  Trump’s “America First” foreign policy led to renegotiations of trade deals, including the USMCA (replacing NAFTA) and a tough stance on China. He also brokered several normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations, known as the Abraham Accords.

• COVID-19 Response:

  While Trump's handling of the pandemic was widely criticized, especially for downplaying the virus in its early stages, his administration did oversee the rapid development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines under Operation Warp Speed.

Challenges for Trump in 2024:

• Legal battles: Trump faces multiple legal challenges, including investigations into his business dealings and the January 6th Capitol riots.

• Polarization: While Trump’s base remains deeply loyal, he is also a highly polarizing figure, which may alienate moderate and independent voters.

• New competition: Trump may also face strong competition from other Republican candidates, such as Ron DeSantis or Nikki Haley, who are viewed as more electable by certain party members.

Kamala Harris: Key Achievements and Report

Vice President Kamala Harris made history in 2021 as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president of the United States. She is known for her extensive background as a prosecutor and California senator and has been seen as a prominent leader on issues of racial justice, climate change, and voting rights.

Key Achievements:

1. Senate and Attorney General Record:

   As a former U.S. senator and California attorney general, Harris built a reputation as a tough-on-crime prosecutor but later pivoted toward advocating for police reform, criminal justice reform, and immigrant rights. In the Senate, she pushed for progressive legislation on healthcare, the environment, and social justice issues.

2. COVID-19 Response:

   As part of the Biden administration, Harris has played a significant role in leading the national COVID-19 response, overseeing vaccine distribution efforts and encouraging public health measures. Her administration helped bring vaccine distribution to millions of Americans, significantly reducing the pandemic's impact.

3. Voting Rights Advocacy:

   Harris has been an outspoken advocate for voting rights, taking charge of the administration’s push to protect voting access. She has called for passing federal legislation to address voter suppression, particularly in minority communities.

4. Climate Change and Infrastructure:

   Harris is a strong supporter of climate change initiatives. She has pushed for green infrastructure investment and clean energy as part of the Biden administration’s broader climate agenda. Under the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, investments have been made to improve roads, bridges, broadband access, and clean water, which are all central to Harris's policy focus.

5. Social Justice and Police Reform:

   Harris has been a vocal leader on police reform and racial justice. She supported the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and has continued to push for reforms aimed at addressing systemic racism and improving police accountability.
   

Challenges for Harris in 2024:

• Approval Ratings: Harris’s approval ratings have been lukewarm throughout her tenure as vice president, with some critics questioning her visibility and leadership on key issues.

• Policy Successes: Despite her advocacy, key legislative initiatives such as voting rights and police reform have faced significant obstacles in Congress, limiting her ability to deliver major victories.

• Experience Perception: While Harris has experience in law and politics, some critics argue that she may lack the executive experience and national leadership needed to lead the country through complex crises.

  
  

Key Issues in the 2024 Election

The 2024 election will likely revolve around several key issues that will shape voters' decisions:

• Economic Recovery Post-COVID-19:

  Both candidates will need to present clear plans for economic recovery, addressing inflation, job creation, and wage growth.

• Healthcare:

  Healthcare reform remains a central issue, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Expect debates on how to improve access to affordable healthcare, lower drug prices, and strengthen public health infrastructure.

• Climate Change:

  As climate change continues to pose a global threat, policies on renewable energy, environmental regulations, and climate resilience will be critical in the election.

• Social and Racial Justice:

  Issues of police reform, criminal justice, and voting rights are likely to feature prominently, especially given the political and social movements of recent years.

• Foreign Policy:

  With ongoing global conflicts and tensions (e.g., relations with China, Russia’s war in Ukraine), foreign policy will be another important area where both candidates will need to present their vision for America’s role on the world stage.

Conclusion: Who Will Win?

While both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris bring impressive achievements and distinct perspectives to the table, the outcome of the 2024 election will depend on a variety of factors, including voter turnout, public sentiment on key issues, and campaign strategy. Regardless of who ultimately secures the presidency, this race will be closely watched and highly consequential for the future of the United States.