As 2024 draws to a close, the year will undoubtedly be remembered as one of extraordinary political upheaval. With a former president surviving an assassination attempt to win reelection, a sitting president stepping aside after a disastrous debate, and unexpected figures from business and entertainment shaping the national conversation, the drama has been unrelenting. Here, we take a closer look at the year's big winners and losers.
Winners
President-elect Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency is the defining political story of 2024. Defying all odds, Trump became the first president since Grover Cleveland in the 19th century to win nonconsecutive terms. His victory over Vice President Kamala Harris marked a significant comeback, cementing his hold over the Republican Party and signaling his enduring appeal to a substantial portion of the electorate.
Despite facing four criminal indictments and a conviction, voters appeared unmoved. Trump not only triumphed in the Electoral College but also won the popular vote, a feat he failed to achieve in his prior presidential runs. His survival of an assassination attempt during a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, only added to his mystique. A photograph of his defiant, clenched-fist salute from that day became an iconic image of his campaign.
Elon Musk
The billionaire entrepreneur had a monumental year, leveraging his wealth and influence to reshape the political landscape. Musk's $250 million investment in Trump’s campaign and his transformation of social media platform X into a bastion of right-wing voices helped secure his place as a central figure in Trump’s administration. He was named co-leader of the newly created "Department of Government Efficiency," alongside former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
However, Musk’s rise came with risks. Critics have labeled him an oligarch, and his outsized influence has raised concerns about the blurring of lines between wealth and governance. By year's end, jokes about "President Musk" circulating online highlighted the precarious balance between his partnership with Trump and his personal ambitions.
Joe Rogan and the Podcasting
Podcaster Joe Rogan solidified his role as a political influencer, hosting a three-hour interview with Trump that garnered over 53 million views. This engagement highlighted the power of long-form, unfiltered conversations in shaping public opinion. Other podcasters also gained prominence, though Democrats struggled to replicate the formula. Harris’s decision to forego an appearance on Rogan's show was seen as a missed opportunity.
Mixed Results
2028 Democratic Hopefuls
With Harris defeated, the race for the Democratic nomination in 2028 has effectively begun. Governors Gavin Newsom (Calif.), Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.), and Josh Shapiro (Pa.) have emerged as potential contenders. While their support for Harris demonstrates loyalty, they each face unique challenges, including regional biases and shifting electoral dynamics.
Speaker Mike Johnson
The Republican Speaker managed to maintain his position despite internal chaos. A near-government shutdown tested his leadership, exacerbated by opposition from Trump and Musk. Though he successfully brokered a last-minute compromise, Johnson's narrow House majority and vocal hardliners promise further challenges in the new Congress.
Losers
President Joe Biden
Biden’s presidency ended with a whimper, marred by a disastrous debate with Trump that cemented doubts about his age and cognitive abilities. The president's tenure was plagued by economic concerns, including inflation and immigration issues, and his foreign policy decisions alienated key constituencies. His delayed decision to abandon reelection left Democrats scrambling, contributing to Harris’s defeat.
Vice President Kamala Harris
Harris’s campaign faced insurmountable obstacles, from economic headwinds to Biden’s low approval ratings. Despite a strong debate performance against Trump, her campaign lacked momentum, and her public appearances often failed to resonate. Her defeat closes the door on a historic opportunity and raises questions about her political future, though some speculate she may seek the California governorship in 2026.
Old-Guard Republicans
The GOP’s traditionalists saw their influence wane as Trump’s grip on the party tightened. Figures like Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney exited the spotlight, while Trump loyalists filled key roles in his administration. The shift signals the end of an era for the Republican establishment.
Congressional Democrats
Democrats suffered significant losses in both chambers of Congress. The party’s failure to retain the Senate majority, coupled with only modest gains in the House, left leaders like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries with diminished power. The defeats of prominent senators Sherrod Brown and Bob Casey underscored the party’s struggles in key battleground states.
The Progressive Left
The "squad" of progressive lawmakers faced setbacks, including primary losses and internal party defeats. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s failed bid for a leadership position symbolized the left’s waning influence within the Democratic Party. While there is potential for an economic populist resurgence, the progressive wing faces an uphill battle in the years ahead.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on a year of seismic political shifts, the focus now turns to how these changes will shape the years to come. With Trump poised to reenter the Oval Office, the Democratic Party regrouping, and new power players like Musk redefining the rules, 2025 promises to be just as unpredictable.
