Honestly, walking around today, it feels like the dust has finally settled, but the questions about who is going to be the new president still linger in the back of everyone's mind—mostly because of how wild the last year was. If you’re looking for a prediction, you’re actually looking in the rearview mirror.
Donald J. Trump is the president.
He didn't just win; he pulled off a Grover Cleveland. That’s the historical shorthand for serving two non-consecutive terms. He was the 45th, and now, as of January 20, 2025, he’s officially the 47th President of the United States. It’s been about a year since that freezing inauguration in the Capitol Rotunda, and the political landscape has shifted so much it’s hard to remember the "before times."
How the 2024 Election Actually Went Down
Forget the close-call narratives for a second. The numbers tell a pretty blunt story. Trump ended up with 312 electoral votes. Kamala Harris, who stepped in after Joe Biden bowed out in July 2024, finished with 226.
It wasn't just the Electoral College either. For the first time since 2004, a Republican candidate won the popular vote. Trump pulled in roughly 77.3 million votes compared to Harris’s 75 million. That’s a plurality of 49.8%.
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People kept waiting for the "blue wall" to hold, but it crumbled. Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin all went red. Even Nevada—a state that hadn't gone Republican for two decades—flipped. It was a sweep of all seven major swing states.
The Harris Pivot and the Summer of Chaos
You’ve gotta remember how we got here. Biden’s debate performance in June 2024 was basically the beginning of the end for his campaign. The pressure from within the Democratic party was immense. By early August, Harris was the nominee without a traditional primary. She picked Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, to balance the ticket. They had momentum for a minute—the "vibes" were high—but the economic anxiety and immigration concerns ultimately proved too heavy to outrun.
The 47th President's New Team (The 2025-2026 Cabinet)
This isn't the same administration we saw in 2017. It's much more structured, and honestly, the Senate confirmation battles were intense. Remember the drama with the Secretary of Defense? Pete Hegseth barely made it through with a 51-50 vote. JD Vance, now the Vice President, had to cast the tie-breaker himself.
Here is a look at who is currently running the show in 2026:
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- State Department: Marco Rubio. He’s been focused heavily on a "peace through strength" approach in the Middle East and dealing with the aftermath of the June 2025 Iran-Israel conflict.
- Treasury: Scott Bessent. The main goal here has been the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act, which extended those 2017 tax cuts and introduced new exemptions for tips and overtime.
- Health and Human Services (HHS): Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This was one of the most controversial picks. He was confirmed 52-48 and has been busy trying to overhaul the FDA and NIH.
- Attorney General: Pam Bondi. She’s been the lead on the "AI Litigation Task Force," which is basically trying to stop states from making their own restrictive AI laws.
The Elon Factor
You can't talk about the current presidency without mentioning DOGE. No, not the coin. The Department of Government Efficiency. Trump brought in Elon Musk to spearhead this. It’s technically an advisory body, but they’ve been hacking away at federal spending. It led to a massive government shutdown in mid-2025, but the administration claims it’s necessary to trim the "Deep State."
What Most People Get Wrong About This Term
There’s a misconception that it’s just 2016 all over again. It isn’t. The focus has shifted significantly toward "Genesis Mission"—a massive push for AI-accelerated innovation.
The administration also managed to strike a deal with 14 of the 17 largest pharmaceutical companies. The goal? To give Medicare recipients the same drug prices people get in Europe. It’s called "Most Favored Nation" status. Surprisingly, it’s one of the few things that’s seen some cross-party interest, even if the implementation has been messy.
Limitations and Challenges
Despite the "landslide" talk from the White House, the country is still split. Trump’s approval ratings throughout 2025 hovered between 36% and 47%. The "Most Favored Nation" drug pricing deal is great on paper, but critics argue it’s causing supply chain hiccups.
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Also, the deportation orders. That was a cornerstone of the campaign. The administration has funneled about $150 billion into border security and immigration enforcement. It’s been a logistical nightmare and has faced endless legal challenges in the lower courts.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
If you’re trying to navigate the current political or economic environment, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Tax Codes: The new tax reductions on overtime and tips are active. If you’re in the service industry or work heavy hours, check your withholding. You might be leaving money on the table.
- Monitor "DOGE" Cuts: If you work in a federal capacity or for a contractor, hiring freezes are the norm right now. The administration has a "strategic hiring committee" that has to approve every single vacancy.
- Healthcare Changes: Keep an eye on RFK Jr.’s "Fostering the Future" initiative if you’re involved in social services. There’s a big push to move educational and employment opportunities for foster kids onto a new online platform.
- Stay Updated on Trade: The "Kuala Lumpur Joint Arrangement" with China has shifted how rare earth elements are moving. This affects tech prices—everything from your phone to EV batteries.
The question of who is going to be the new president was answered on November 5, 2024. Now, the real story is how the 47th administration is actually using the power they fought so hard to get back. It’s a fast-moving environment with over 220 executive orders already on the books. Keeping up is a full-time job.