In the Daily Maverick webinar on the US 2024 elections, a panel of experts examined what happened, why it happened, and what it could mean for the US, South Africa, and the world.

The results are in. Former US president Donald Trump has declared victory following his resounding election victory over incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, marking a historic return to the White House.

Trump will be the second nonconsecutive U.S. president and, at 78, the oldest person elected to high office and the first convicted felon.

Among other unwelcome perks, he will become the first twice-impeached president to enter the White House after comfortably reaching the 270 electoral college votes needed to secure the presidency.

Experts shared their views on the election during a Daily Maverick live journalism webinar moderated by Daily Maverick associate editor J Brooks Spector on Wednesday.

Spector asked the panel four simple questions:

• What happened?
• Why did it happen this way?
• What does this mean for the USA?
• What does this mean for Africa, South Africa and the world?

David Smith – The Guardian’s Washington DC bureau chief – first responded by describing the room at the election watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida, where conversation turned to celebration as the night progressed.