Second Act: New Trump Era

The election night ended with Donald Trump winning key swing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, declaring a "magnificent victory." Just shy of 277 electoral votes, Trump vowed to lead the United States into a "golden age."

Just a few years ago, it seemed impossible for Donald Trump to win and return to office. Trump's comeback has turned heads worldwide, signaling a massive shift in American politics. Voters responded well to Trump's direct, no-holds-barred messaging strategy. The campaign had some bizarre twists, including rumors and rhetoric, and he survived two assassination attempts that seemed straight from a thriller.

Both triumphs and challenges await Trump's return to the White House. He was the first president to return since Grover Cleveland over a century ago and the oldest president in American history, at 78. His agenda? Restructuring government operations to target "enemies within," as he puts it, from immigration reforms to military policies.

Now that the Senate is under Republican control, there will likely be less resistance to Trump's plans. Even so, the country remains polarized, with most people watching his next move closely. What his renewed presidency will mean for the U.S. and beyond is unclear. Watching history unfold as we await final confirmations, the nation is on edge.

Making History

Last night's election wasn't just a political contest but a milestone in American history. While there may be headlines about Trump's victory, Congress and state legislatures have a record amount of diversity.

It was a historic election night. Ohio's Bernie Moreno became the state's first Latino senator, Maryland's Angela Alsobrooks and Delaware's Lisa Blunt Rochester became the first Black woman elected to the Senate, and the first openly transgender member of Congress, Sarah McBride, represents a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ community.

From North Dakota's first female US representative, Julie Fedorchak, to North Carolina's first Jewish governor, Josh Stein, this election marked a turning point in representation across all branches of government. Subramanyam is the first Indian American elected to Congress from Virginia, a sign of the broader reach of American politics.

These victories don't just reflect the transformation of the American government; they reflect the country's changing character. In reflecting this nation's diversity and resilience, the 2024 election has set new standards across races, genders, and sexual orientations.

Defense Drama

It’s almost surreal: Prime Minister Netanyahu fired his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, under pressure from a full-scale war. Yes, Netanyahu decided it was time for a political shake-up amidst a brutal conflict with Hamas and fears of Iranian retaliation. During the Gaza offensive, Gallant advocated a tempered approach in opposition to Netanyahu's hardline position.

It sparked protests across Israel, with demonstrators calling it a "betrayal" of security. In the meantime, Foreign Minister Israel Katz, a Netanyahu ally with limited defense experience, will replace Gallant.

So, is this Netanyahu’s strategic maneuver or a risky gamble? Only time—and the next wave of Israeli protests—will tell.

Less Hustle, More Balance

When a country works less, what happens? So, Iceland tried something bold: asking its workers to clock out early—permanently. Since implementing a four-day workweek without pay cuts, Iceland's economy has outpaced many of its European neighbors, and its citizens are reportedly less stressed, more productive, and happier.

By 2022, more than half of Iceland's workforce will have opted for 35-36-hour weeks following a groundbreaking trial. The results? In 2023, Iceland's economy grew by 5%, doubling its growth rate from a decade earlier. Burnout rates plummeted, and work-life balance improved. Iceland might be on to something—a new way of working that benefits both people and the economy. Will other countries follow?

📸 Lens to Life

Top 100 Audubon Photography Awards Selections for 2024.

🧮 Core Count: 9,000,000

Number of people who share your birthday.

🗓️ Flashback:

1813 - In Mexico, the Congress of Chilpancingo declares independence from Spain.

1860 - Abraham Lincoln of Illinois was elected the 16th President of the United States of America.

1917 - The Bolshevik Revolution began with the Winter Palace bombardment in Petrograd during the Russian October Revolution.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran