The intense presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris is heading toward an unpredictable conclusion as millions of Americans head to the polls to decide between two vastly different visions for the nation’s future.
This contest has been shaken by unprecedented occurrences – including two assassination attempts on Mr. Trump, President Joe Biden’s unexpected exit from the race, and Ms. Harris’ swift ascent – leaving the outcome too close to call, despite billions in campaign spending and months of vigorous efforts.
Mr. Trump’s campaign has indicated he might declare victory on election night even if millions of votes remain uncounted, reminiscent of his actions four years ago.
The former president has repeatedly alleged that any loss he experiences could only be due to widespread fraud, echoing unfounded claims from 2020. If the margins in critical states are as tight as anticipated, the winner may not be determined for days.
Harris, 60, the first female vice president, would be the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American to be elected president.
Mr. Trump, 78, the only president to have been impeached twice and the first former president to face criminal conviction, would also become the first to secure non-consecutive terms in over a century.
Recent opinion polls indicate that the candidates are neck and neck in each of the seven states likely to decide the election outcome: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
According to Reuters/Ipsos polling, a notable gender gap exists, with Ms. Harris leading among women by 12 percentage points, while Mr. Trump holds a seven-point advantage among men.
The election highlights a nation deeply divided, with these rifts becoming even more pronounced during this fiercely contested race.
Mr. Trump has resorted to increasingly dire and catastrophic language on the campaign trail, whereas Ms. Harris has cautioned that a second Trump presidency would jeopardize the very foundations of American democracy.
Control of both chambers of Congress is also at stake. Republicans have a clearer route in the U.S. Senate, where Democrats are defending multiple seats in Republican-leaning states, while the House of Representatives appears to be a toss-up.
In their final weekend of campaigning, both candidates crisscrossed swing states in an effort to secure every possible vote.
Donald Trump gestures at the end of a campaign rally in Pennsylvania
Mr. Trump held his final rally yesterday evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while Ms. Harris conducted dual rallies in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
More than 80 million Americans had already cast their votes before today, either by mail or in person, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.
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(Above: Trump dances on stage at rally in Michigan)
Read more: Latest US Election stories Live: Updates as they happen
Dark rhetoric
Throughout the campaign, Mr. Trump criticized both Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris for their management of the economy, which polls indicate remains at the forefront of voters’ concerns despite low unemployment rates and easing inflation.
However, he appeared to struggle to maintain a consistent message, at one point questioning Ms. Harris’ Black identity and vowing to protect women “whether they like it or not”.
This unrestrained approach seemed aimed at energizing his base rather than widening his appeal. More so than in 2016 and 2020, Mr. Trump has vilified immigrants who entered the country illegally, falsely accusing them of inciting a surge in violent crime, and pledging to use the government to pursue his political adversaries.
Polls indicate he has made some inroads with Black and Latino voters, despite the groundbreaking nature of Ms. Harris’ candidacy.
Mr. Trump has frequently warned that migrants are taking jobs from those communities.
In contrast, Ms. Harris has aimed to unite a diverse coalition of liberal Democrats, independents, and disillusioned moderate Republicans, portraying Mr. Trump as too perilous to elect.
She has focused on safeguarding reproductive rights, a pivotal issue that has galvanized women since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated a nationwide right to abortion in 2022.
Ms. Harris has encountered dissatisfaction from many pro-Palestinian voters due to the Biden administration’s military and financial backing of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
While she has not indicated any shift in U.S. policy, she has stated her commitment to ending the conflict.
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(Above: Oprah Winfrey welcomes Harris on stage at final rally in Pennsylvania)
After Mr. Biden, 81, withdrew from the race due to concerns regarding his age, Ms. Harris aimed to capitalize on what she described as Mr. Trump’s rambling rallies as proof of his unsuitability for office.
Her campaign’s strategic use of viral memes and a wave of celebrity endorsements resonated with younger voters, a demographic seen as crucial.
Mr. Trump countered the support of figures like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé with endorsements from Elon Musk, the world’s richest individual, who has taken on an increasingly prominent role as a surrogate and top donor for Trump’s campaign.
Today’s election follows one of the most tumultuous six months in contemporary American politics.
In May, a jury in New York found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to an adult film actress.
Four weeks later, Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden participated in their sole debate, in which the incumbent president’s poor performance amplified existing voter concerns regarding his mental sharpness.
In July, Mr. Trump narrowly avoided an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania, just prior to the Republican National Convention.
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Biden exited the race after facing mounting pressure from party leaders.
Ms. Harris’ entry into the race reinvigorated her party, allowing her to raise over $1 billion in less than three months, effectively closing the gap with Mr. Trump’s lead in public polling against Mr. Biden.
