On Nov. 7, distinguished professor of political science Costas Panagopoulos and Fox News decision desk Director Arnon Mishkin held a panel in Shillman Hall to answer students’ questions about Donald Trump’s election to the presidency, making him the first president-elect in over a century to win two non-consecutive presidential terms.
Trump received 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win and defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who received 226 votes. Trump also won the popular vote, with over 75 million votes to Harris’ 71 million. Trump’s success in each of the critical swing states — Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, North Carolina and Nevada — was a primary factor in his victory. Trump’s triumph in these seven states, six of which President Joe Biden won in 2020, shocked many people.
“For me, personally, I can say I never thought for a moment there was no way Trump could win this election, but I think the magnitude of the Republican victory on Tuesday did surprise many people, including me,” said Panagopoulos, a former NBC decision desk member and a current member of the Edison Research decision desk.
