Washington Post editor on how the 2024 presidential election will be remembered

Mary Jordan, associate editor at the Washington Post, spoke with ABC News to discuss Donald Trump’s historic victory and what Melania Trump’s second term as first lady could look like.

Jordan, the author of “The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump,” describes Donald Trump as the comeback king who, despite his offensive language and criminal convictions, continues to make progress and achieve bigger victories.

Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday in a historic presidential election.

ABC NEWS: Mary Jordan, associate editor at the Washington Post and author of “The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump,” joins us now. Maria, thank you so much for joining us. We’ll get into Melania Trump in a moment, but first put it in perspective, this very specific moment we’re in. How will history remember this incredible 2024 election?

MARY JORDAN: Like no other. Between the unusual nature that Kamala Harris didn’t even know she was a candidate until July, that we had a president who walked on stage and shocked people.

They thought, Oh my God, Joe Biden, something happened to him. He can’t run. And of course we had Donald Trump, the comeback king, who continues despite offensive language and criminal convictions and only achieves a bigger victory.

You know, I think it’s safe to say, based on what everyone said today, whether they were nauseous and upset or euphoric. No one is going to forget this.

ABC NEWS: And President-elect Trump, as you said, some of these things now, only the second president to win non-consecutive terms, the growing coalition of voters from just four years ago is coming into his second term as the sole commander in chief convicted of a crime and is an incredibly polarizing figure. Have divisive leaders like Trump historically been able to unite the party or just drive us further apart?

JORDAN: You know, if he can actually turn around after all the insults. I mean, he called Kamala Harris low IQ and he, you know, he’s said he’s going to do all kinds of things. But you know, Donald Trump always surprises. So let’s see what he does.

I mean, now he might have his eye on history. He has such a long list of things he said he was going to do on day one. Right. He’s going to close the border, hire more border agents, fire federal employees, shrink the government. I mean, it just goes on and on. Rates, lower taxes.

You know, he must be quite busy. But the feeling in Washington now is that the moving vans are coming. You know, there’s a big change coming. That’s what you’re into.

ABC NEWS: And this will be Melania Trump’s second term as first lady. But she remains quite a mystery to most, as she keeps aloof from much of the spotlight. What do you think her role will be during the next term?

JORDAN: You know, I think she’s really underrated. People were like, oh, she hates politics. She doesn’t really like being there. But when I interviewed more than 100 people and went to her native Slovenia for a few years and wherever she worked in Europe, I came away with a woman who is certainly a loner. She doesn’t need people around her, but she is determined and ambitious. She wants her place in history.

She encouraged her husband to enter politics. And this time, unlike the first time, she now has experience and a little more self-confidence. In 2016, she was shocked that they won. She thought Hillary Clinton would win. And she came in a little late, arguing with her daughter-in-law, Ivanka. I think you will see a more assertive and confident Melania Trump this time.

ABC NEWS: Do you think she was surprised this time?

JORDAN: No, not at all. She, her son, who she has a close relationship with, a very close relationship, Barron Trump had been quite involved in the campaign in some way when his father told him what podcast young people listen to: what’s the cool thing to do ?

And Donald Trump actually listened to him and did that and actually credited Barron. So Melania and Barron are more in the spotlight this time. And I think given all the criticism they had, it’s kind of a bunker Trump mentality where we won and we deserve it. And they are more of a team. Even if she still sneaks away and is sometimes invisible.

ABC NEWS: Mary Jordan, our thanks to you. I really appreciate your time tonight.

JORDAN: Thank you.