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US election results: How the Latino and Black voters chose Donald Trump over Kamala Harris

Even the Trump rhetoric that Latino-dominated Puerto Rico is a 'floating island of garbage' did not stop Hispanic voters from picking him

A Trump flag hangs on a fence at the El Curtola Boulevard overpass in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 | AP

Donald Trump won over minorities and young voters, garnering support from Hispanic and Black voters. 

Traditionally, Black, Hispanic and young voters cast the ballot for Democrats but outrage over a high cost of living in the country post-pandemic has prompted them to click red for Donald Trump. 

Though Trump did not win a majority among Black or Latino voters, he got 13 per cent from the former and 45 per cent from the latter, according to CNN exit polls. In 2020, this was just 8 per cent from Black voters and 32 per cent from Latinos. Even the Trump rhetoric that Latino-dominated Puerto Rico is a "floating island of garbage" did not stop Hispanic voters from picking him.

Much of Harris's votes from Hispanic areas got watered down as she got just 53 per cent votes from the community. Trump increased his share to 45 per cent, which is a 13-point increase from the 2020 election, according to NBC News exit polls.

This is also a record for a Republican presidential nominee as he surpassed George W Bush's 44 per cent mark. This is also a marked departure from the 2012 elections when Barack Obama garnered 71 per cent Hispanic votes. Hillary Clinton got 66 per cent votes in 2016 and Joe Biden got 65 per cent in 2020.

Harris was hit hard in swing states like Michigan where she could bag only 35 per cent compared to Biden's 59 per cent and Pennsylvania, where she garnered only 57 per cent against 78 per cent for Biden.

Poll surveys suggest that Latino voters were more concerned about economy, inflation and high living costs, leading them to back Trump.

Despite Trump vowing to build the wall on Mexico border, Latinos chose him as large group of immigrants have reportedly been taking a toll on their financial stability.

Among Black voters gave Trump 16 per cent votes in the blue New York state this time compared to 2020 when he got only 7 per cent against Biden.