Left credit: AFP Right credit: The Washington Post 

Yesterday, in a remarkably hopeful speech to a sea of young people gathered at Howard University, Vice President Kamala Harris officially conceded the 2024 election to Donald Trump, bringing an end to a tumultuous and unpredictable election cycle and sealing the Republican’s return to office in January. 

As Vox senior correspondent Zack Beauchamp wrote in this newsletter yesterday, Donald Trump will be the 47th president: “There is no doubt about the election’s legitimacy.” 

Now, we begin the task of introspection and dissection as we seek to understand the tectonic shifts in our nation that had voters splitting tickets, sending incumbents packing, and choosing an inarguably riskier path for the years ahead. 

We’re left asking, why did Americans turn to Trump again? And will he deliver what they’re seeking?

Vox writers explore these questions in a number of excellent pieces today.

Andrew Prokop considers whether Kamala Harris’s loss was a backlash against Democrats, or simply a typical loss of one candidate to another. Rebecca Jennings looks at how a 78-year-old Trump spoke to the grievances of Gen Z men decades his junior on the media platforms they frequent, winning their trust and their votes in the process. Marin Cogan examines the success of his broader campaign with men, including Latino men. And Zack Beauchamp captures a more global story of voters tossing out incumbents around the world, and how it explains Trump’s resurgence. 

One last note from us: As the new administration begins, and in the months and years that follow, Vox will remain committed to covering threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the economy, and the rising polarization and tribalism across this country, regardless of challenges to the free press and to our democracy.  

Read more about our mission for the coming era from Vox’s Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Swati Sharma. And please continue to support strong, independent journalism by becoming a Vox Member today and helping us to continue this essential work.

–Lavanya Ramanathan, senior editor and editor of Today, Explained

“My suspicion is that Harris’s electoral struggles were more about Biden’s unpopularity and her association with his administration than any newfound love of the American public for the Republican Party generally," writes senior correspondent Andrew Prokop. 

Donald Trump joined Adin Ross, a 24-year-old streamer who once famously looked up and struggled to read the definition of “fascism” on camera, for an interview, went on the mulleted comedian Theo Von’s podcast to discuss cocaine, golf, and UFC. He palled around with YouTube millionaires like the Paul brothers and the Nelk Boys. What’s clear, writes senior correspondent Rebecca Jennings, is that Donald Trump catered to the bro vote — and won. 

Getty Images for FaZe Clan

More people voted this year than ever before, writes senior correspondent Zack Beauchamp. And across the world, voters told the party in power — regardless of their ideology or history — that it was time for a change. In that way, Trump's win may not been all that exceptional. 

Trump specifically sought to get young men of all races and men without a college education to the polls, writes senior features correspondent Marin Cogan. It was a risky strategy because the voters Trump was seeking have historically been among the most difficult to mobilize. But there are many reasons why male voters have been dissatisfied in recent years and might have been receptive to his messaging. 

Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

What will happen with all those Trump indictments? President-elect Donald Trump was indicted four times since leaving office, twice in connection with efforts to steal the 2020 election. Now that Trump has won the presidency, his control over the US Department of Justice could allow all federal charges against him to be dropped.

The backlash to criminal justice reform continues: A majority of voters in California have voted in favor of Proposition 36, a tough-on-crime ballot measure meant to toughen penalties for drug- and theft-related crimes. While crime rates have been falling since 2021, many Americans, including liberal voters, have shifted toward the right on criminal justice issues.

Seven ballot measures protecting abortion won big: In New York, Maryland, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, and Missouri, Americans voted to expand or protect abortion access for millions of women, bringing the total to 14 states to have approved abortion rights referendums since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Missouri has now become the first state to overturn an abortion ban.

Nationwide drought: According to the US Drought Monitor, every state except Alaska Kentucky has recently been dealing with drought conditions, with little rain falling since Hurricane Helene in the southeast US in September. [New York Times]

Rafael to make landfall in Cuba: Tropical Storm Rafael has become a Category 3 hurricane, forecasted to bring life-threatening winds and flash foods in its path, which could eventually approach the US Gulf Coast. [NBC News]

Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

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If you’re preparing for another day of doomscrolling or catastrophic thinking, take this as your sign to shift your response to stress. 

In times of major change, you might notice an abundance of thoughts that aren’t serving you. Worrying about the worst-case scenario does nothing to prevent future crises — instead, try to rest your mind and reset with tips from these professionals.

A study from 2014 found that many people would rather give themselves electric shocks than spend a few minutes alone with their thoughts. But it’s worthwhile to spend some time with your inner monologue — harnessing the power of silence can have profound effects on well-being. Here’s how to make your thinking time a valuable reprieve. 

And while adapting to change is never easy, experts say you can get better at it. We wrote about ways to strengthen those muscles during times of societal anxiety here. 

Are you enjoying the Today, Explained newsletter? Forward it to a friend; they can sign up for it right here. 

And as always, we want to know what you think. Specifically: If there is a topic you want us to explain or a story you’re curious to learn more about, let us know by filling out this form or just replying to this email. 

Today’s edition was produced and edited by senior editor Lavanya Ramanathan and staff editor Melinda Fakuade. We'll see you tomorrow!

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