Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series examining the 2024 election results and what they reveal about America’s evolving political landscape. From the triumph of conservative ideals to the missteps of legacy media and the Democrats’ struggle to connect with voters, The American Salient will dive into the details behind America’s rightward shift.
The 2024 election results are (mostly) in, and let’s just say they were as much a wake-up call to our political elite as a cold shower on a January morning. The message was clear: America is realigning. Against a torrent of media narratives painting him as an existential threat to democracy, Donald Trump won a second term, affirming values that resonate deeply with working Americans—freedom, security, and a government that remembers it serves the people.
The Left made a calculated bet, banking on a cocktail of fearmongering, “unity” platitudes, and celebrity endorsements to buoy Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to victory. Yet, despite their claims of joy and unity, their messaging reeked more of condescension than connection. And the result? Kamala Harris failed to outperform Biden’s 2020 vote count in a single state.
Democrats underestimated how thin, elitist, and out of touch their platform had grown. Their “We’re Not Trump” message proved to be just that—devoid of substance, policies, or solutions for everyday Americans. In stark contrast, the Trump campaign delivered a straightforward pitch rooted in national pride, economic revival, and a vision of an America that stands on its own two feet. And as we saw this Election Day, America was listening.
The Rightward Shift: A Political Realignment in Full Swing
From the suburbs to the Rust Belt, Trump’s appeal was not just a flash in the pan; it signaled a seismic political shift building for years. Exit polls reveal Trump’s growing support among suburban women, a demographic long considered elusive for Republicans. These women did not buy into fear-driven rhetoric; they weighed security, family stability, and economic opportunity—values close to the heart of Middle America.
Harris and Walz’s campaign leaned heavily on painting Trump as a fascist, a threat to democracy, and a man consumed by grievances. But voters saw through the façade. This messaging, which may have looked good on the consultant’s whiteboard, fell flat. How could they take Democrats’ critiques seriously when those same Democrats spent years prosecuting their opponents and weaponizing government institutions against dissenters?
Voters grew tired of hypocrisy and empty promises. They wanted action—and that is what Trump offered.
Suburban Swing: A Vote for Stability
The Democrats’ failure to resonate with suburban and rural women highlighted a deeper disconnect with the concerns of middle America. In an era of rising crime, runaway inflation, and a chaotic border, voters were not swayed by promises of “joy and unity” or the recycled mantra that Trump is a tyrant. They wanted clear solutions for the crises around them, and Harris-Walz did not provide them.
This swing reflects a growing cultural and economic divide. As liberal elites hobnobbed with celebrities and lavished praise on Hollywood darlings, Trump’s camp offered something more relatable—a stable paycheck, safer neighborhoods, and an economy that does not leave Main Street America in the dust. And while Democrats like to talk about “tolerance,” their brand of it only extends to people who already agree with them.
One-Sided Media Coverage
This brings us to one of the other significant stories of the 2024 election: the media’s credibility took a nosedive. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, I made a point to tune into various legacy media outlets, only to find a shockingly one-sided narrative. Coverage on Election Night veered off course; as results trickled in, anchors appeared less like seasoned journalists and more like petulant children whose game did not go their way. If this was an attempt at serious political commentary, it only further alienated audiences tired of being treated like fools.
For years, legacy media openly backed a progressive agenda, aligning itself with the Democrats’ messages of “joy, unity, and tolerance.” Yet, on Election Night, the veneer cracked. The media’s bias stood exposed, as anchors struggled to mask their disappointment and turned to lamenting the state of “our democracy.” Ironically, the very institutions that spent years attacking Trump for his perceived anger and grievances could not contain their own bitterness when the public handed them a resounding rejection.
A New Conservative Opportunity
The big takeaway from the 2024 election is that a once-in-a-generation political realignment is in full swing. Republicans and, more specifically, the Trump platform, have claimed a broad swath of voters disillusioned by progressive virtue signaling, hollow promises, and a media landscape that often works hand-in-glove with the political elite.
Voters chose a return to American basics: strong borders, a robust economy, and a government that puts its people first. Trump’s win is not just a triumph for him—it is an affirmation that conservative principles still resonate with a country looking for stability, accountability, and common sense. As Democrats drift further into elite territory, embracing radical social agendas and catering to a celebrity culture that feels foreign to most Americans, the stage is set for Republicans to champion a renewed focus on American values.
This moment marks the beginning of a new era in American politics, one where conservatives have an opportunity to not only claim the future but to shape it. The next few years will be critical for Republicans to seize this moment and turn this mandate into real change. Because if there is one thing the 2024 election made clear, it’s this: America has grown weary of political theater and is ready for a return to reality.
Charlton Allen is the founder and editor-in-chief of The American Salient and the founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc. Learn more about him at charltonallen.org.
