Trump Becomes Oldest Person Ever Elected As American President, First to Do So With Criminal Conviction

Israel Adeleke

Unexpected return to the highest office in the United States has happened as Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th president, making him the oldest person ever elected to presidency, and first to do so with a criminal conviction, defying both age and controversy to reclaim the highest office.

Trump whose victory came after a hard-fought campaign against Democratic candidate and incumbent Vice President, Kamala Harris, is 78 years of age.

Despite facing four criminal cases, including a conviction on 34 felony counts related to hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, Trump’s core “Make America Great Again” supporters and strong Republican backing propelled him back into power.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that, during his victory party in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump declared “This is a movement like nobody’s ever seen before,” calling it “the greatest political movement of all time.”

Surrounded by family, aides, and running mate J.D. Vance, the hard-right Ohio senator, Trump celebrated his win, pledging to initiate a “golden age” for America.

Reinforcing his commitment to the promises that defined his campaign, Trump said “We’re going to help our country heal. We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything about our country… I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve."

OTN news further gathered that, celebrations erupted among Trump’s supporters when Fox News called Pennsylvania in his favor at 1:20 a.m. ET, sealing his win and sparking jubilant cheers and chants.

One supporter shouted, “It’s over!” as the victory became undeniable. Trump’s path to the White House was solidified with victories in key battleground states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, before clinching Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes, bringing his electoral college count to 277, surpassing the required 270.

However, the election results are likely to raise concerns internationally, given Trump’s history of controversial stances and relationships with authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris, who sought to make history as the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American president, had earlier warned voters of the potential risks under Trump’s leadership, calling him a “fascist” and a threat to democracy. 

Her message, however, did not deter voters from granting Trump another term in the White House.