In a striking political outcome, President-elect Donald Trump won against Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent 2024 Presidential election.
According to Fox News, this defeat occurred despite the White House praising the Biden-Harris administration as historically successful.
The Trump-Harris race concluded with Donald Trump securing 312 electoral votes to Kamala Harris's 226. Trump also led the popular vote, exceeding Harris by over two million votes.
Following the election results, the White House released a memo on Monday. The document lauded the accomplishments of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly highlighting their tenure's economic impact during challenging times.
The memo outlined significant job creation under their administration, stating, "Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, 16 million jobs have been created, and we’ve gotten women and people of color back in the labor force at record rates." Additionally, it cited a surge in new business applications, with 20 million filed during their term, and inflation levels returning to nearly pre-pandemic figures.
They claimed several legislative milestones under their leadership, particularly in areas like infrastructure, climate change, healthcare, and manufacturing. The White House portrayed the U.S. economy as robust, citing "unnamed business leaders" who reportedly praised it as one of the best-performing economies in recent decades.
Despite these positive assertions, not all recent economic data reflected the administration's optimistic view. The October jobs report indicated a mere addition of 12,000 jobs—the lowest in four years, alongside a slight increase in unemployment to 4.1%.
In response to the economic figures, the Trump campaign's national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, offered a sharp critique. She described the latest jobs report as catastrophic, asserting that it showcased the detrimental economic impacts under Harris's leadership.
President Biden, who originally aimed for re-election, stepped out of the race following a disappointing debate performance. This left Harris to step up as the Democratic candidate. Her defeat has sparked a variety of reactions, with the administration's defenders highlighting its successes against the backdrop of her electoral loss.
The White House's public memo made a strong case for the administration's legislative effectiveness. In an extended passage, the memo elaborated on the substantial legislative achievements credited to Biden and Harris:
"Our success in these critical areas of American life—rebuilding infrastructure, making groundbreaking strides in climate action, lowering the costs of healthcare, and revitalizing manufacturing—was made possible by passing key legislation. These efforts not only restored but advanced the nation’s economic and social landscape."
The administration claimed that they bolstered economic stability and growth during their tenure by making significant progress in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. However, despite these endorsements, the broader economic indicators and the outcome of the election present a complex picture. The increase in inflation reported by the Labor Department in October and ongoing economic cool-down add layers to the debate over the administration's genuine impact.
As the transition of power looms, these discussions will likely continue, framing the narrative of the Biden-Harris administration's legacy and its realignment with the American electorate's shifting sentiments.
