What the Election Really Lost – and Won

The 2024 presidential election was not simply a contest of personalities or parties; it was a decisive stand taken by Americans against a set of ideologies and social constructs that have increasingly dominated the national conversation. This wasn’t just about whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump won or lost. It was about a clear rejection of divisive, impractical, and sometimes destructive ideas that have reshaped the fabric of our society in ways that feel fundamentally out of step with the values of the vast majority.

What the Election of 2024 lost…

Critical Race Theory, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and wokeism – concepts rooted in division and categorization – were put to the test. These frameworks, promoted as mechanisms of fairness, often result in stifling conversation, shaming dissenters, and creating divides where unity could have taken root. This year, Americans chose not to double down on identity-driven narratives but to reclaim a spirit of unity that transcends the labels we’ve been so quick to assign to one another.

Cancel culture and the weaponization of public opinion were also rebuffed. Americans are tired of watching as voices are silenced, careers are destroyed, and people are ostracized for straying from an approved narrative. The election’s outcome was a statement that we are done with a culture that refuses forgiveness, rewards outrage over dialogue, and values intimidation over conversation.

The ideology of open borders and the unchecked flow of illegal immigration was similarly rejected. Americans know that a nation without borders cannot maintain the integrity of its economy, social programs, or public safety. The voters are telling us they want secure borders and an immigration system that serves both the people who seek a new life in this country and those already calling it home.

… and won

Also on the ballot, implicitly, were biological men competing in women’s sports and the normalization of irreversible medical procedures for children too young to comprehend their full implications. These issues have hit at the heart of parents and communities who want to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of all, while ensuring that common sense and biological realities guide us.

The rejection of socialism, lawfare, and the political weaponization of legal processes stands as a call for a fair, just, and accountable government. Americans have watched as institutions they once trusted have been eroded by political agendas. This election’s vote was an affirmation that we want fairness, not selective justice; a rule of law, not rule by manipulation.

And the symbolism of Bud Light’s fall from grace and legacy media’s diminishing credibility? It speaks to an America that refuses to be force-fed a narrative that doesn’t reflect reality, that doesn’t acknowledge the concerns and values of real people. It was a vote for truth and authenticity over agenda-driven narratives.

A repudiation of bad ideas

In the end, this wasn’t just Donald Trump’s victory. It was a repudiation of ideas that have alienated everyday Americans. Donald Trump’s role in this election was not as a personality but as a stand-in for an alternative vision, one that embodies a return to principles like common sense, accountability, and personal freedom. This election was about rejecting a political and social culture that many believe has gone off the rails.

Now, it is time for common sense. Because this year, common sense defeated nonsense. And hard-working Americans defeated an elite mindset and mentality. This election was a mini-revolution in a country born with a spirit to revolt against all vestiges of tyranny. At the end of the day, the 2024 primary election was definitely a win, but not just for Republicans – it was a win for all Americans.

This article was originally published by RealClearPolitics and made available via RealClearWire.