As Donald Trump reenters the White House as president-elect after winning key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, experts have pointed to his concerted efforts to dismantle the so-called “Blue Wall,” a term that refers to a group of states , who have voted for Democratic presidential candidates in the past, which is the main reason for his unprecedented victory.
The “Blue Wall” includes key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, which played crucial roles in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Trump's approach this time used both traditional campaign tactics and innovative strategies to mobilize voters and secure victories in these critical areas.

The Blue Wall

The Blue Wall consists of states that have consistently supported Democratic candidates from 1992 to 2012. However, that trend began to change in 2016, when Trump successfully flipped three of those states – Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin – by appealing to working-class voters who were disillusioned with the Blue Wall Democratic Party.
In 2020, Joe Biden managed to recapture these states, but they remained hotly contested until the 2024 elections.
Trump's campaign recognized that these states are critical to any path to victory. His strategy therefore focused on strengthening his base while reaching undecided and rare voters who may have felt ignored by mainstream politics.

Mobilizing core support

One of the key elements of Trump's strategy was to bolster his core population rather than significantly expand his voter base. He focused on issues that resonated with his supporters, such as immigration, economic concerns and national security.
Trump's messages often emphasized portrayals of America under siege from external threats, particularly over immigration.
He called the Biden administration's policies harmful to American workers and security, and claimed that uncontrolled immigration leads to more crime and job losses for “real Americans.”
This rhetoric played well in areas where economic fears were high and helped win the support of working-class voters who felt left behind by globalization and technological change.

Innovative campaign tactics

Trump's campaign also used innovative tactics that departed from traditional methods.
For example, he focused heavily on digital outreach and social media engagement, aided by significant support from influential figures such as Elon Musk. This allowed Trump to deliver his messages directly to millions of followers without relying solely on traditional media channels.
In addition, Trump's campaign efforts included mobilizing irregular voters – those who do not normally vote in elections – by encouraging them to register and vote. His campaign trained supporters in monitoring polling places and disseminated information about voting procedures, which helped build a sense of community among his base.

Focus on key topics

Election polls showed that voters in the battleground states were particularly concerned about democracy, the economy and immigration.
Trump's campaign effectively exploited these concerns by portraying Kamala Harris as a threat to democratic values ​​while presenting himself as a candidate who could restore order and prosperity.
Trump particularly exploited economic fears that were exacerbated by inflation and job insecurity during the Biden administration.
He promised to revitalize American manufacturing and bring jobs back from overseas, appealing directly to voters in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where manufacturing has traditionally been a cornerstone of the economy.

Other swing states

Swing states played a crucial role in Trump's strategy. In addition to focusing on the Blue Wall StatesTrump also campaigned vigorously in other battlegrounds such as North Carolina and Georgia. His approach was to make several campaign stops in these regions in the run-up to Election Day, reaffirming his commitment to winning back voters who had previously supported him.
By focusing resources on swing states where he made significant gains, Trump sought to repeat his 2016 success while adapting his message to current concerns. That included tackling issues like crime rates and public safety — issues that resonate strongly with suburban voters who may have turned away from him in the previous election cycle.