Kamala Harris 'Trumped.' Melbourne Reacts to the Upset

Swinburne students had the opportunity to assist ABC Melbourne Drive Radio with their U.S election day broadcast, live from the American Chamber of Commerce's Hawthorn Hotel watch party. Louie Cina, Sarah Rose and Matthew Parkhill report from amongst the crowd.

Whilst the race was all but certain, hope lingered still in the Harris and Walz camp after the final polls closed on the East coast.

The count had slowed over midnight in America, with only two swing states–Nevada and Arizona–still undecided, and the Democrat’s ‘Blue Wall’ of Northwestern states in a deadlock heat.

But it’s now over. By 5:34 am Wednesday, EST, Donald Trump secured the White House along with the Senate and the House seemingly in tow. World leaders congratulated Trump on his victory over Twitter, including Anthony Albanese early Thursday morning.

For the political punters and business minds nestled above the Hawthorn Hotel at the American Chamber of Commerce’s US election watch party, the race was a spectacle and a good excuse to network and drink over thoughts on the future.

The American Chamber of Commerce invited guests to join in watching the U.S election, accompanied by guest speakers such as Emily Doyle, Trump's former deputy chief of staff. Photo: Sarah Rose

Within the Hawker was a microcosm of U.S voters; Women largely banked on a Democratic victory with Kamala pledging to secure reproductive freedom, whilst men discussed the future of a Trump economy and where business will be next.

Vanessa Ryan, founder of Small Medium Large Designs, watched the election at AMCHAM’s watch party and was optimistic by the time polls closed. She told ABC Melbourne Radio she worried for women in light of a Trump victory.

“I worry for all the women over there, the young girls–their grandmothers and mothers [had] more rights than they would right now and thats what concerns me the most.”

Australia, a strong ally to the U.S, must now prepare for a Trump presidency. Photo: Sarah Rose

Paul Gardner, ex-president of the Melbourne Football club, does business in the U.S and expected a “Trump rump.” He believes businesses dealing in America will move to Canada to avoid Trump’s proposed tariffs.“When Brexit happened–I had a company in London–a lot of companies moved to france right away, and I think Canada will be the beneficiary of this amazing election.”

The North American Free Trade Agreement between the U.S, Canada and Mexico allows for greater access between trading companies without great tariffs. Trump has recently touted plans for wide, sweeping tariffs on imported goods, with 10% added cost on all countries and 60% for Chinese imported goods.

Trump, 78, has become not only the oldest Presidential Elect, but the first convicted felon to win the presidency after he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in May in a New York courtroom. The charges relate to his hush money payments to pornstar Stormy Daniels after their affair.

By his side during his Mar a Lago victory speech stood wife Melania Trump and Barron Trump, as well as the soon-to-be President’s crew of celebrity endorsements, political backers and culture warriors.

In his speech Trump dubbed MAGA the ‘“greatest political movement of all time”, going on to say “it is now clear this is the greatest political thing ever.”

With Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania flipping red–their total electoral college votes numbering 44 altogether–pundits chalked up the Democrat loss to the financial struggles Americans are facing with the current cost of living. 

Tim Lynch, Professor of American Politics at Melbourne University, told ABC Melbourne Drive host Ali Moore the results reflect a ‘nostalgia’ for the prosperity and peace of the Trump era.

Supporters erupted in celebrations across America early Wednesday morning as news outlets began to call the race, with one telling Fox News that she was “hopeful” and that it was “encouraging to see Democrats and Republicans come more to the centre.” 

Meanwhile Democrats mourned early for what would be four years under a president described as a ‘fascist’ by his former chief of staff.

Kamala Harris conceded defeat on Wednesday morning, telling supporters that ‘a fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results.’ 

‘I would often say when we fight, we win. But here's the thing, here's the thing, sometimes the fight takes a while’, she said.

“That doesn't mean we won't win… [never] stop trying to make the world a better place.’

Donald J. Trump will move into the White House for a second time on the 20th of January, 2025.