Staff Reports
Americans have made it abundantly clear that they are done with the economic policies of Joe Biden and his merry band of Democrats. The resounding re-election of Donald Trump showcases a collective shoutout from voters who yearn for a return to the economic prosperity experienced during Trump’s first term. When it comes to economics, the voters wielded a not-so-subtle thumb of disapproval toward the current administration, largely viewing the economy under Biden as something akin to a sticky mess.
Exit polling demonstrates a crystal-clear message: the economy was front and center in voters’ minds during this election. A staggering 63 percent of Americans described the economic situation as either “poor” or “not so good.” Amongst those bemoaning the economic status quo, Trump cornered the market, winning a whopping 59 percent of votes from those feeling “not so good” about the economy. For those who branded the economy as “poor,” the Trump support shot up to an even more impressive 84 percent. Not surprisingly, those who still believed in the Biden economic fairy tale—only about 7 percent—were paltry votes for Harris.
In political parlance, candidates are often advised to steer clear of contentious issues where a solid majority of voters sit on one side. Yet, Kamala Harris seemed blissfully unaware of this age-old wisdom. In her fantasy world, where economic conditions sparkle like confetti, she claimed that all was well. The Economist even chimed in, characterizing the economy as “great” with its 4 percent unemployment and GDP standing tall at $85,000 per person. Clearly, Harris’s followers were fewer than hoped; a mere 30 percent of voters thought the economy was “good,” and only 7 percent considered it “excellent.” The disconnect was glaring.
Rustling up the pulse of the electorate proved too much for Harris, especially when 39 percent of voters declared the economy their primary concern—even over immigration. Trump dominated this sector, capturing 60 percent of their votes. While immigration certainly merits attention, it falls under the broader umbrella of economic debates that have ruffled a lot of conservative feathers. Economists and journalists alike miscalculated the public’s appetite for price stability, essentially pining for the good old days of Obama’s economy. The reality is that voters are ready for the full-employment environment that Trump originally brought, making past issues seem irrelevant.
And America will be better for it.
Breitbart Business Digest: Trump Won the Presidency and a Mandate for Trumponomics https://t.co/8ZF2s9r2Cu via @BreitbartNews
— Lonestarmango (@lonestarmango) November 7, 2024
The issue of inflation was indeed the elephant in the room (or should it be a gas guzzler at the pump?). Voters are increasingly jittery about prices across the board, including gasoline and groceries. When quizzed on health care pricing concerns, Trump managed to snag 54 percent of the votes from the 54 percent of voters expressing serious worries—bucking the Democratic trend of previous elections. Concerns about gas prices particularly stung: among voters very worried about gasoline costs, Trump garnered 66 percent of the votes. Harris, meanwhile, swaggered in promising price controls like they were some kind of magic solution, but her assurances fell flat on discerning ears.
Housing costs added another layer of complexity, with 51 percent of voters stressing their worry and a solid 56 percent choosing Trump. Support for Harris’s buzzwords about taxpayer-funded homebuyer subsidies didn’t quite resonate with the average American; perhaps it felt too much like a government handout and not enough like real solutions. Tariff discussions ended up being a bit of a mixed bag for Harris too. Despite her incessant jabber about tariffs being akin to a national sales tax, Trump managed to sweep the vote among tariff supporters with a robust 71 percent.
In conclusion, the presidential election solidified itself as an economic referendum, where voters navigated around the murky waters of Biden’s economic legacy and took a decisive plunge in favor of Trump’s pro-growth policies. They sought a clearer path toward less inflation and a spirit of economic nationalism. The electorate’s mandate couldn’t be clearer: they want to feel great about the economy again, and come January, it will be Trump’s economic policies that this mandate rides into the White House.
