ANALYSIS — Donald Trump’s 2016 transition was slowed because, as he admitted at a pre-Christmas rally that year, he didn’t think he would win. Eight tumultuous years later, the president-elect sounded Wednesday like he’s ready to get to work planning his second improbable term.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate. We have taken back control of the Senate,” a raspy-voiced Trump said at his victory party in West Palm Beach, Fla., in the early morning hours.
To the dismay of Democrats from sea to shining sea, Trump’s “mandate” declaration will be hard to rebut, particularly after he won the Democrats’ “Blue Wall” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin for the second time in three elections, made headway in Democratic-heavy states and is on track toward being the first GOP presidential nominee in 20 years to win the popular vote.
