Newsroom
Experts, academics, and political analysts in Cyprus have weighed in on the reasons behind Donald Trump’s success in the latest U.S. elections and Kamala Harris's defeat. Appearing on the SPOR FM news show DIASPORA NEWS, analysts pointed to a mix of emotional appeal, economic concerns, and strategic missteps as key factors shaping the outcome.
Trump’s Emotional Appeal and Focus on Key Issues
Constantinos Adamides, an associate professor at the University of Nicosia, believes Trump’s success lies in his ability to tap into the emotions of American voters. Issues such as the economy and immigration, which have long been a concern for many, were largely avoided by the Democrats, Adamides said. Trump played on these emotions, which resonated with low-income voters, including many from minority backgrounds. These voters were drawn to Trump’s promises of economic growth, the return of American industries, and reducing reliance on China.
Adamides also pointed to the role of misinformation in shaping public opinion, with influential figures like Elon Musk lending their support to Trump through social media. Musk’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) were seen as having a significant impact on rallying support for Trump.
Democrats’ Anti-Trump Focus Backfired
Yiannos Katsouridis, an associate professor at UNIC, noted that the Democrats’ focus on anti-Trump rhetoric, rather than highlighting their own achievements under President Joe Biden, hurt their chances. While Trump’s campaign also used anti-Democrat messaging, it was more focused on appealing to voters' everyday concerns. Katsouridis pointed out that recent shifts in American society have caught pollsters off guard, leading to mispredictions about the election.
He also highlighted that the Democrats’ positive portrayal of the economy didn’t match the reality for many voters, contributing to their defeat. Low-income citizens, particularly those from minority communities, felt left behind by Biden’s administration, Katsouridis said, which pushed them toward Trump’s campaign promises of economic revival.
Harris Struggled to Gain Voter Trust
Political analyst Kyriakos Iakovidis pointed to Kamala Harris’s inability to convince voters during the campaign as another significant factor in the Democratic loss. He argued that Harris failed to present a strong record of accomplishment as vice president and that voters did not see her as capable of addressing the country’s major issues.
Iakovidis also criticized the Democrats for selecting Harris, who is considered further left within the party, as their vice presidential candidate. This alienated centrist and center-right voters, particularly in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, which were critical to the outcome.
A Changing Political Landscape
Iakovidis also noted that the overwhelming dissatisfaction among voters about the country’s direction, with 74% believing the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction, played into Trump’s hands. As the incumbent party, the Democrats were often blamed for the country’s economic struggles and issues like immigration.
Furthermore, political strategist Michalis Sofokleous, a former director in the office of President Nicos Anastasiades, said that Harris’s lack of a solid campaign platform made her less convincing. Sofokleous argued that Harris had not demonstrated the leadership needed to tackle major issues such as the economy or immigration, which were critical to voters’ concerns.
While issues like abortion initially helped the Democrats, Sofokleous believes the ongoing immigration debate worked against them, ultimately swaying voters toward Trump’s vision of change.
As experts continue to analyze the results, it’s clear that Trump’s emotional appeal, focus on key issues like immigration and the economy, and his ability to tap into public dissatisfaction played a central role in his success. On the other hand, Harris’s failure to inspire confidence and the Democrats’ focus on anti-Trump messaging without addressing voters' concerns ultimately cost them crucial support.
