Harris vs Trump: How the 2024 US presidential election is of many 'historic firsts'

After millions of Americans cast their votes, the 2024 presidential race is shaping up to be one for the history books.

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris are in a fierce battle, each securing major wins. According to AP projections, Trump has amassed 214 electoral votes from 23 states, including pivotal wins in Texas and Florida. Meanwhile, Harris has claimed 179 electoral votes across 12 states.

Whoever wins, this race to the White House has been nothing short of eventful, with the surprising suspension of President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign and his endorsement of his second in command Harris. Adding to the drama were the assassination attempts on Trump.

Furthermore, what makes this election particularly historic is that if Harris wins she could become the first female president of the United States. However, a Trump victory would make him the second president to serve non-consecutive terms.

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Here’s a closer look at all the historic firsts this election promises.

If Donald Trump wins

Second president to serve non-consecutive terms: The Republican presidential candidate would become the second president in US history to serve non-consecutive terms.

The last was Grover Cleveland who did two stints in the White House after losing an election.

The first term was from 1885-1889 and the second was from 1893-1897. Trump served as US President between 2016 and 2020 after defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton, however, lost his chance for a consecutive second term after losing to Joe Biden in the 2020 election race.

Also Read: Presidents of the United States: Grover Cleveland, the only US president to serve 2 non-consecutive terms

Oldest president elected: If Trump wins, he will be the oldest person in US history to be elected president.

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Currently, Biden, turning 82 on November 20th, is the oldest sitting president. He gave up his re-election bid this time after concerns were raised about his age and mental fitness.

First convicted felon to hold office:  Trump, facing felony charges, would be the first US president to hold office while under legal indictment.

Earlier in May, a New York jury found Trump guilty of all 34 charges of falsifying business documents connected to hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels in a bid to buy her silence about their alleged affair.

Trump, who faces additional allegations of sexual misconduct from several women, had called the trial a “rigged, disgraceful” affair. His sentencing is scheduled for November 26.

Also read: What does Trump's guilty verdict mean for the US elections? Can he still be president?

Twice-impeached president: Trump would become the only president in US history to face impeachment proceedings twice during his time in office.

Impeachment is the process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing. If found guilty during a trial, the official may be removed from office.

Trump was first impeached by the House in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine. He faced allegations of improperly seeking help from the country to boost his chances of re-election. Despite the House passing the charges, the Senate acquitted him in 2020.

The second impeachment came in 2021 after a violent mob stormed the Capitol. Trump was charged with “incitement of insurrection,” but again, the Senate acquitted him, this time after he had left office.

If Kamala Harris wins

First Female President of America: If Kamala Harris wins, she would become the first woman to hold the highest office in the United States.

In its 248-year-long history, the country has elected 46 Presidents, all white men barring one, Barack Obama. Harris’ victory would represent a monumental shift, building on the barriers broken by Hillary Clinton’s 2016 candidacy.

First woman of colour as president: If Harris wins, it would mark a significant shift in representation, as she would be the first president of South Asian descent.

Kamala, 60, is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants and moved to America when she was young.

She has on many occasions fondly recalled her summer trips to India during her campaign and has flaunted her African American and Indian roots.

Also read: Kamala Harris and her deep India connection: From loving good idli to childhood memories of Chennai

First ‘First Gentleman’

If elected, her husband, Doug Emhoff, would be the first male spouse of a female president. Emoff already held the title of the Second Gentleman of the United States when Harris became Vice President.

Harris is the stepmother to Emhoff’s two children from his previous marriage, Cole and Ella, who affectionately refer to her as “Momala.”

The second president of California

Harris would be the second president hailing from California, following Richard Nixon.

Nixon was elected the 37th President of the United States after previously serving as a US Representative and a US Senator from California. He served as the president from 1969 until his resignation in 1974.

According to CBS News projection, Vice President Harris has won her home state of California, after securing the state’s 54 electoral votes, the most of any state.

With input from agencies