US elections | 6 reasons why Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump

While analysing the reasons for Kamala Harris losing the presidential race to Donald Trump, which could be several, there is one fact that stands out.

Donald Trump has become the US President twice – and both times, his Democratic opponents were women.

In 2016, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. In 2024, Trump has defeated Kamala Harris.

Trump lost to Joe Biden in 2020.

There seems to be a message there. That the Americans are not yet ready to elect a woman as President.

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The reaction of a woman, an independent voter in North Carolina who has voted Democratic in the past few elections quoted by New York Times, seems to sum up the feelings of those who voted against Trump, “I’m terrified by him, to be honest. And I’m terrified that I live in a country where 51 per cent of the people voted for someone who is bigoted and misogynistic. I’m terrified that half of the country thinks it’s okay.”

Keeping aside the crucial aspect of gender, let us look at the other factors that may have been responsible for Kamala Harris losing to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential elections.

Many US voters counted immigration, border security, gun control laws, reproductive rights and foreign policy as factors weighing on their minds in this election.

1. Lack of clarity on policies

Kamala Harris had the disadvantage of joining the race late, after President Joe Biden was persuaded by the Democratic Party to step aside.

She was unable to articulate a clear stand on various policy issues, and seemed to vacillate on important ones. She often skirted around issues instead of addressing perceived failures head on.

The electorate did not know what exactly she stood for, according to several analysts.

Early in her campaign, the co-host of ABC’s “the View” Sunny Hostin asked Harris, “What, if anything, would you have done something differently than President Biden during the past four years?”

“There is not a thing that comes to mind,” replied Vice President Harris.

And that seems to encapsulate her problem.

Also Read: Kamala Harris, the fighter | So close to making history, but not to be

She either did not have a different strategy, or she did not want to look disloyal to the man who picked her as his running mate in 2020 and then stepped aside for her to become the Democratic presidential nominee.

2. Inflation

In elections not only in the US but across the world, it has been proven time and again that it is finally the bread-and-butter issues that matter to the common person.

The cost of living in America has gone up due to various factors, especially the Russia-Ukraine war and the war in Palestine.

And, with prices going up, especially of gas, and for Americans who roam all around in their cars, this is very important.

Trump’s emphasis on “Making America Great Again” (MAGA) touched a chord especially among his core base of blue-collar white Americans and their sense of insecurity.

Also Read: Donald Trump profile: Why he wouldn't disappear from American politics

In some surveys, about 30 per cent of American voters said their family’s financial situation was falling behind. As many as 90 per cent were very or somewhat concerned about the price of groceries.

Trump’s policies during his first term, of increasing tariffs on imports, laying more emphasis on manufacturing in America to create more jobs, his aggressive posturing towards China, and his rants against immigrants taking away Americans’ jobs were all aimed at securing his core base of voters.

A majority of voters said they trusted Trump more to handle the economy. And the economy proved to be a much bigger concern among voters than reproductive rights.

3. Illegal immigration

Trump’s open bigotry has shocked the sensibilities of people.

However, his rants against immigrants during his campaign, his now-infamous accusation that migrants from Haiti were stealing people’s pets and eating them, have not prevented people from voting from him. On the other hand, it may have only bolstered more support for him.

An analysis of the vote seems to indicate that voters across party lines shifted to the right on immigration. They blamed Biden-Harris for failing to control the influx of migrants at the borders.

Emily Schaefer, 52, is a lifelong Democrat who said she cannot stand Donald Trump. Yet she voted for him.

“I have never voted for a Republican, ever. But we are being flooded with immigrants who are prioritized over the needs of citizens,” she told New York Times.

Emily said Trump’s tough approach to immigration resonated with her. She supports mass deportations. And she wants less immigration.

Also Read: The message from Donald Trump

The surge in migration across the southern border of America which seemed to have reached record levels during the Biden administration has hardened many Americans’ views on immigration.

James Besenger from South Carolina is a Trump supporter and is clearly upbeat about how the results have panned.

“I don't think the results have been surprising. If anyone has been paying attention to the middle class, and lower middle class shouldn't be surprised by this turnout," he said.

"Democratic party has used and abused minority groups for the last 10 years, and I think they are being exposed now. Donald Trump was an alternative to this, and minority groups have decided to go with that,” he added.

About the future possibilities, James feels it is time that America put itself first before looking after others and Trump could be an answer to that.

“I think it is a great thing for the country, the Republican Party has presented a more coherent idea for the future. I think they have America’s best interests in mind. Every country should put themselves first, I think America should do that. It was about time the country thought for itself first before we took care of everyone else," he said.

4. Funding of wars

The Ukraine and Palestine wars have been very widely discussed subjects throughout this election. Trump’s supporters feel he would bring an end to these and save America from spending a lot of money on these conflicts.

“I don't think the US should be funding wars. I don't see we have any interest in that. I think the US has made a habit and reputation in funding foreign wars that don't serve our interest. The people are tired of it and I hope Trump will end both wars,” said James Besenger.

India's former ambassador to Italy, KP Fabian said the Russia-Ukraine war and the West Asia conflict may have been a factor that might have influenced voters' decisions.

Also Read: Why Trump's win is good news for India, Tharoor explains

"Ukraine war, you may say majority of Americans support Ukraine, but it doesn't follow that Americans want a big war. And, that America should be sending so much money by way of military aid and economic aid," he said.

“Military aid doesn't matter because the money remains in America, selling weapons. But in economic aid, the money goes,” the former diplomat said.

"And the war in West Asia, Biden made a mistake," Fabian argued.

Venu Rajamony, who served as India's envoy to the Netherlands from 2017 to 2020, said, “People who support Trump have been big backers of Israel, so whether it emboldens Israel to continue and increase the intensity of the war, whether Israel pulls back and offers a ceasefire in return from American support to sort of restructure the architecture of the Middle East in Israel's favour, all this has to be seen, we have to wait and see what approaches President Trump adopts".

5. The Biden factor

Asked about the outcome of the US election, India's former ambassador to Italy, KP Fabian said, "Though Kamala Harris was the candidate, it was also a verdict on Biden. Because, she was the Vice President and Biden nominated her. So, partly, she was carrying the Biden burden in respect of the economy."

President Biden’s approval rating has consistently remained in the low 40s all through his four years in office.

Also Read: India Inc braces for demand shifts, stiffer immigration policies under Trump

Harris was in a Catch-22 situation – she could not elaborate on how she would handle the economic frustrations as well as widespread concerns over immigration without casting aspersions on Biden’s performance.

She was, therefore, in an unenviable position of being held responsible for what had happened during the past four years though she was not in the driver's seat.