Donald Trump has declared himself the 47th President of the United States after beating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 US elections.
Donald Trump has been declared the 47th President of the United States, following a hard-fought election in which he narrowly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris. The 78-year-old took to the stage alongside his family, calling his win a “magnificent victory for the American people” and pledging to “put the divisions of the past four years behind us.”
The contest, held on 5 November, saw both Trump, the Republican candidate, and Democrat Kamala Harris enter polling day in a virtual tie. However, as votes were counted, Trump gained crucial ground in several swing states, which allowed him to secure his return to the Oval Office in January 2025. With polls indicating a margin of error of about 3.1 percent, Trump ultimately secured the votes required to reclaim the presidency.
With his inauguration set for early next year, attention has already turned to Trump’s policy priorities. His campaign platform suggests a return to familiar themes, including immigration reform, economic changes, and foreign policy shifts. Here, we break down the key issues Trump has pledged to address in his upcoming term.
Trump on foreign policy
Throughout his campaign, Trump frequently criticised President Biden’s handling of global conflicts, pointing to rising tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East. Trump has promised to reassess US involvement in Ukraine, particularly in light of the substantial aid given under Biden, and has pledged to bring an end to the conflict, though he has offered no details on his plan.
In regard to escalating Middle Eastern conflicts, Trump has taken a critical stance on Israel’s military tactics, while also suggesting punitive measures for pro-Palestinian demonstrators in the US, threatening to revoke visas for foreign students who participate in such protests.
Trump on immigration
Reviving one of his hallmark policies, Trump has vowed to complete the wall along the US-Mexico border, an initiative he began in his first term but left unfinished after losing to Joe Biden in 2020. He has also indicated that he may invoke the Insurrection Act, potentially enabling the use of military resources to enforce border control.
The president-elect has promised what he terms the “largest deportation programme in history,” with the aim of removing up to 11 million undocumented immigrants from the country. The American Immigration Council estimates the cost of such a programme at $968 billion (£751 billion), although no details have been provided on how this would be funded.
Trump’s controversial “Muslim travel ban” could also make a comeback. He has suggested banning travellers from several majority-Muslim countries, saying, “We will seal our border and bring back the travel ban… We’re not taking them from infested countries.”
Trump on women’s rights
Trump’s influence on the US Supreme Court helped pave the way for the overturning of Roe v Wade, a decision that has led to strict abortion laws in 20 states. While Trump has praised these laws as “a beautiful thing to watch,” he has stated he does not intend to push for a federal abortion ban. In contrast, he has pledged to offer free IVF treatment to women struggling to conceive.
Trump on taxes, the economy, and environment
Trump has vowed to tackle inflation but has not provided specifics on how he plans to achieve this. He has hinted at boosting domestic oil production, which he argues could “make America affordable again.” However, he has also proposed to halt offshore wind projects, claiming they pose risks to marine life, specifically whales and birds.
Consistently sceptical of climate change, which he has labelled an “expensive hoax,” Trump has reiterated his commitment to clean air and water but has not endorsed broader environmental protections.
In terms of economic policy, Trump aims to lower interest rates, though these are determined by the Federal Reserve, not the President. He has proposed a combination of import taxes and sweeping tax cuts, which he believes will stimulate economic growth. Nonetheless, Trump has not addressed concerns that heightened import taxes on goods from countries such as China, Brazil, and Mexico could result in price increases for US consumers.
As Trump prepares to assume office in January, his policy proposals reveal a familiar yet ambitious agenda, with immigration reform and economic shifts among his primary goals. For now, America awaits to see how these pledges will materialise over the next four years.
