Why Kamala Harris lost in US election

Why did Kamala Harris lose in the US election? The answer lies in Donald Trump's first speech following his victory. He declared, "I am not going to start wars; I am going to stop the wars." This statement reflects Trump’s intention not to instigate new conflicts but to end existing ones. Overcoming various criticisms and setbacks, Trump’s opening words after securing his second presidential term have brought renewed hope not only to Americans but to people worldwide. Reasonably, it can be said that Americans, frustrated by Joe Biden's war-expansion policies over the past four years, lost faith in the Democratic candidate. Consequently, Kamala Harris's fate was sealed, and the crown of victory passed to Donald Trump. Biden's flawed policies led to clear Republican victories in the popular vote, Senate, and Congress.

As communities devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic were just beginning to recover, Joe Biden aggressively pushed the U.S. into unnecessary wars, turning the entire world into a weapons market. This had a negative impact not only on the U.S. economy but globally as well. The Russia-Ukraine war plunged many nations into economic challenges and a deep sense of concern. Nearing the end of his term, Biden again targeted the Palestinian population to destabilize the Middle East. Gaza’s air was thick with the smell of death, and the Arab Gulf’s Lebanon shores ran red with blood. The consequences were dire. Biden put not only himself but also American citizens at risk on the international stage.

It's not only economic instability that has angered Americans. Surprisingly, another reason may seem trivial but is quite real: Biden’s war-centric policies limited American citizens' ability to travel freely worldwide. Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, strict travel warnings were imposed from Eastern Europe to Central Asia, while the Israeli massacres in Gaza restricted Americans' movement across Asia. Known for their love of travel, Americans found this hard to accept. While it's still unclear what stance Trump will take on Ukraine and Israel, or how his policies will differ from Biden’s in these areas, a large segment of American voters has closely observed both Trump’s policies during his previous term and Biden’s over the past four years. Rejecting Biden’s "war and arms market expansion" approach, they could not find a reason to place their trust in his running mate, Kamala Harris. This is the primary reason for her defeat.

Donald Trump is a unique figure. Known for his controversial remarks and relentless attacks on opponents, he has frequently faced criticism. His refusal to accept defeat in the 2020 election and his role in the Capitol Hill attack will forever tarnish U.S. democratic history. Despite criminal charges and several scandals, he returned as a presidential candidate in 2024 and achieved a record-breaking victory. This success is largely attributed to his previous term, where he refrained from expanding wars and even took initiatives to resolve conflicts. It's fair to say that his anti-war rhetoric earned him the support of a majority of American voters this time.

Since the end of World War II, the global order has operated under U.S. leadership and dominance. Although Russia and China have established independent positions in opposition, they have not yet overtaken the U.S. in global leadership. As a result, the U.S. President holds a significant position on the world stage, and their policies influence almost every country. For instance, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war created immense challenges for countries with emerging economies, such as Bangladesh, while poorer nations faced even greater crises. Consequently, Biden became deeply unpopular worldwide. Democratic policymakers witnessed Biden’s unpopularity among American voters. Thus, they sidelined Biden mid-race and brought Kamala Harris forward, hoping her charisma would restore voter confidence and secure the loyalty of Indian immigrant voters. However, this strategy did not work.

Instead, anti-war policies took center stage among American voters. This is why, upon election, Donald Trump announced his intention to end wars, a declaration that has instilled hope globally. Despite advancements in technology and the heights of civilization, war drums and the cries of innocent people continue to overshadow progress. Due to war, large populations worldwide have not yet joined the development stream, held back by illiteracy, superstitions, and poverty. We hope that Donald Trump will keep his promise and steer the U.S. away from war, presenting it as a steadfast leader in democracy, peace, human rights, and justice.

Rased Mehedi: Journalist, Editor of Views Bangladesh