It’s Thursday. The Starbucks holiday menu officially launches today! I swear that peppermint mocha hits differently in the festive red cup. -
How did Trump win so decisively?
- House control is still TBD, but DDHQ estimates an 85 percent chance Republicans keep it.
- Biden just spoke publicly for the first time since the election. He promised a peaceful transfer of power.
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DDHQ called the Nevada Senate race for Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen.
- What to expect in a Trump/Republican Washington.
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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President Biden just made his first public remarks since the election. Speaking from the Rosen Garden, he assured Americans of a peaceful transfer of power.
“I will do my duty as president, I will fulfill my oath, I will honor the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transition of power here in America,” he said, referring to President-elect Trump’s false claims of election fraud in 2020 that culminated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He also assured Americans of election integrity: “I hope we can lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electorate system. It is honest, it is fair and it is transparent. And it can be trusted, win or lose,” Biden said. What to watch in the next two months: Biden said he invited Trump to the White House during the transition, but Trump never did the same in 2020. It will be interesting to see if this meeting actually happens.
💻 Watch his remarks
🗨️ Live blog of today’s election updates | |
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➤ MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATS ARE PLAYING THE BLAME GAME:
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For the most part, Democrats haven’t directed their blame toward Vice President Harris. Instead, they’re pointing to her campaign’s circumstances. There is some blame directed at both President Biden and the Democratic Party’s messaging. Read Amie Parnes’s reporting
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Do you feel like we’re existing in two entirely different realities?:
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Americans feel like they’re living in two alternate realities, and the divide has never been clearer.
On one side, Democrats are fiercely disgusted with President-elect Trump. The criminal charges, Jan. 6 insurrection, election denialism, rhetoric about vulnerable populations and the intense chaos of his existence in the political realm. They are feeling completely dejected and alarmed post-election. On the other side, Republicans feel vindicated, ecstatic and confident. The political elites who they do not believe represent them have been humbled. The Biden administration, which they so fiercely despise, will be flushed from the White House so Trump can implement his vision for the country. Democrats were so confident, despite some tough circumstances. How did this happen?
For months, polling had shown deep concern for the economy and the direction of the country. President Biden — and Vice President Harris by association — have been at the helm. That will obviously favor a challenger.
Democrats believed Trump was the exception: He brings so much political baggage that would be career-ending for any other political figure: 91 felony charges, two impeachments, election denialism, federal abortion rights overturned and a long list of former aides who want nothing to do with him.
But Tuesday showed that none of that mattered: Trump’s favorability is still underwater, despite his decisive victory. CNN exit polling showed that Trump’s favorability among voters was at just 46 percent, even though he’s on pace to win the popular vote. But Trump was able to channel the deep frustrations and distrust of the American political system.
As Nate Cohn bluntly put it: “No party has ever retained the White House when so many voters disapprove of the president and think the country is heading in the wrong direction. Never,” Cohn said during today’s episode of The New York Times’s “The Daily.”
➡️ This New York Times graphic is fascinating: The red arrows show counties that shifted more Republican in 2024 compared to 2020. The blue arrows show counties that voted more Democratic. I’ve seen several analysts reference it. |
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Aside from the obvious (Trump and Vance), Election Day winners include the highly controversial former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and podcaster Joe Rogan. Aside from Harris and Biden, Tuesday was disastrous for special counsel Jack Smith and Ukraine. Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer also took a big hit.
Read Niall Stanage’s analysis of the winners and losers |
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From Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.): Sanders accused Democrats of ignoring the priorities of working-class Americans. “While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right,” Sanders said.
From Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.): “I’m not here to sugarcoat what we all are about to collectively experience, but I think that what we can do to prepare is build community,” Ocasio-Cortez said on an Instagram livestream. 📹 Watch
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants parts of the FDA to go: The former independent presidential candidate, who may hold a big role in the new Trump administration, said he wants to nix “entire departments” within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Like: The nutrition department.
From Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.): “Donald Trump has no greater friend than the far left, which has managed to alienate historic numbers of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, and Jews from the Democratic Party with absurdities like ‘Defund the Police’ or ‘From the River to the Sea’ or ‘Latinx,’” Torres wrote on X.
Top tech leaders congratulate Trump: Including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Oh, and obviously Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk. Read their reactions
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➤ WONDERING HOW THE LATE-NIGHT HOSTS HANDLED THEIR SEGMENTS?:
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Does Trump still plan to be a dictator for a day?: |
Expect big changes to immigration, energy and foreign policy when President-elect Trump takes office, reports The Hill’s Brett Samuels.
He’s also expected to cut off protections for transgender youth and fire the prosecutor who is working on federal cases against him. He may also pardon people who have been convicted of crimes relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Read more on what to expect for each of these priorities |
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➤ HOW TRUMP’S RETURN COULD REVAMP THE GLOBAL WORLD ORDER:
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Republicans are already battling for control: |
“The temperature is rising in the battle to lead Senate Republicans, with Sens. John Thune (S.D.) and John Cornyn (Texas) facing a one-week sprint to win the top spot after the GOP clinched control of the upper chamber,” reports The Hill’s Al Weaver. What’s happening: “According to multiple senators and aides, Thune and Cornyn, along with their allies, have been burning up the phones of members in search of support ahead of next week’s election to replace outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).” 💡 What to know about each John: Thune is the Senate GOP whip and a slight favorite. He’s a strong fundraiser and campaigner. Cornyn is a former GOP whip and considered to have stronger ties with the conservative side of the party.
Read Weaver’s reporting: ‘Battle to replace McConnell as Senate GOP leader heats up in final sprint’
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Jacky Rosen helps stop the bleeding:
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Decision Desk HQ called the Nevada Senate race this morning — Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen will hold on to her seat.
Rosen defeated Republican Sam Brown in one of this year’s key Senate races. (The Hill) | |
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➤ AND A HOUSE RACE WAS CALLED:
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Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) will keep her seat representing Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, Decision Desk HQ projected this morning.
How does this affect the race to control the House?: Republicans are four seats short of winning control of the House. Democrats are 19 seats away. The Hill and Decision Desk HQ forecast an 85 percent chance it will ultimately stay in GOP control. |
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🍫 Celebrate: Today is National Dark Chocolate with Almonds Day!
🐾 Has anyone checked on Blue?: Steve, the former host of “Blue’s Clues,” posted an emotional election video that went viral. And he doesn’t say a single word in the minute-long clip. (People) |
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The House and Senate are out. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington. (all times Eastern) |
- This morning: Biden addressed the nation. 💻 Watch
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1:30 p.m.: Biden receives his daily briefing.
- 1:30 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream
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2:30 p.m.: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference to discuss interest rates. 💻 Livestream
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Because I think we could all use a brief breather from politics, I’ve been introduced to what animals look like while getting CT scans. I’ve never really thought about the logistics, but it’s very cute. |
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