The week's big question: Why did Trump outperform expectations?

President Trump.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock)

1. Why did Trump and Republicans outperform expectations?

As of Friday morning, the outcome of the presidential election has not officially been called. Joe Biden is on the verge of victory, but one other thing is clear: Both he and President Trump received more votes than any other presidential candidates ever. Despite four years of chaotic governance, impeachment, and a pandemic that has killed more than 230,000 Americans, Trump received millions more votes than he won in 2016. Many Republican House and Senate candidates also outperformed expectations, and exit polls suggest Trump's support increased across a number of groups, especially Latino voters.

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