Trump has won the US election but isn’t president yet. Here’s when that’ll happen

November 7, 2024 journo

Republican Donald Trump will be the next US president after an historic victory that will send him back to the White House.

Although Trump secured enough votes to win on election day, it will be a couple of months before he takes office.

Here’s what to know about when he will be sworn in.

Is Donald Trump now president?

No.

Trump becomes the president-elect, and his running mate JD Vance becomes the vice-president elect.

When does Trump become president?

January 20, 2025.

That’s called Inauguration day.

On that day, the vice-president, JD Vance, will recite his oath of office and be sworn in first.

Trump will then follow about midday, local time. He will then give an inaugural address which typically outlines a president’s vision and goals for their term.

After the inauguration, Trump will begin work immediately.

Who is Trump’s vice-president?

JD Vance.

Vance, a 39-year-old Ohio senator, rose to prominence as a venture capitalist and bestselling author of Hillbilly Elegy before making the move into politics.

Vance and Trump hugging on stage while people clap and cheer behind them — JD Vance and Donald Trump embrace following early results from the 2024 US election. (Reuters: Carlos Barria)

In the past, Vance was a vocal critic of the president-elect, calling him “dangerous”, “a cynical asshole” and “unfit” for office.

But in just a few years, Vance transformed himself from a “never Trump” into one of his most steadfast allies.

What do the incoming president and vice-president do now?

Until January 20 comes around, Trump and Vance will be building their new administration team which includes everyone from secretary of state to White House aids.

Trump has promised roles in his administration to Tesla CEO Elon Musk as well as to former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Trump and Vance will also work with their transition team to organise the handover from President Joe Biden’s administration.

Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris have already committed to “ensuring a smooth transition” takes place.

Most president-elects also receive daily or near-daily intelligence briefings during the transition period and mandatory protection from the US Secret Service.

Did Trump win the popular vote?

We don’t know yet because votes are still being counted across the country.

But at this current point in time, Trump maintains a firm lead of nearly 4.8 million votes over Harris, according to the Associated Press (AP).

If Trump manages to win the popular vote — a victory that won’t sway the election outcome — he would be the first Republican presidential candidate to do so in two decades.

It’ll also be the first time he has won the popular vote in any campaign he’s run.

In 2016, Trump won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote.

And in 2020 he lost both.

But here’s why the popular vote doesn’t matter — it all comes down to the Electoral College.

Can Trump run in 2028?

No.

Unless there’s a change to the constitution. But more on that below.

According to the US constitution, presidents are only permitted to serve two elected terms — or eight years.

The exact relevant wording is in the 22nd amendment:

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

This restriction applies even though Trump’s two terms in office will not have been consecutive.

However, constitutional amendments can be repealed, but it’s a difficult process and would involve a lot of work and time.

Any proposed amendment would have to be passed by the US House and the Senate with a two-thirds majority.

It then must be ratified by three-fourths of the 50 states.