Donald Trump will return to the White House after claiming a stunning victory in the US election over his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
Trump, who was president from 2017 to 2021, won a battleground state for the first time after being declared the winner of North Carolina.
About an hour later, he was declared the winner of Georgia, reclaiming the state he narrowly lost to Joe Biden in 2020.
Shortly thereafter, he was predicted to win Pennsylvania, touted as the most important of the seven battleground states.
Trump won Wisconsin, securing more than 270 electoral votes, and is now on track to win all seven battleground states.
Follow live updates: President Trump wins US election
Harris’ aides had previously said she would not speak until late Wednesday because her path to victory was narrowing and defeat seemed certain.
The lectern where supporters had expected her to deliver her historic victory speech at Howard University in Washington, D.C., was instead protected by a rain awning.
Meanwhile, Trump headed to Palm Beach, Florida, to declare victory to a crowd of supporters hours before the election results were finalized.
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President Trump declares victory
“We’re going to help this country heal,” Trump told his supporters.
“We have a country in need of help, a very serious need of help. We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything in our country. We’re going to fix history tonight. There’s a reason why I made it.”
In a speech that doubled down on his promise to crack down on illegal immigration, Trump promised those gathered a “Golden Age for America.”
He added: “This is a great victory for the American people and will allow us to ‘Make America Great Again.'”
The president-elect paused his speech as the crowd chanted “America, America, America!”
Trump continued: “America has given us a powerful and unprecedented mandate. We have regained control of the Senate. It’s amazing.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
He added that Senate races in Montana, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were “all won by the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.”
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Harris’ team will look for answers.
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What happened on the night of the results announcement?
Trump then invited his running mate, J.D. Vance, to speak, and the vice president-elect said, “I think we’ve just witnessed the greatest political reversal in the history of the United States of America.
“And under President Trump’s leadership, we will never stop fighting for you, your dreams, and your children’s future.
“And after the greatest political resurgence in American history, we will usher in the greatest economic resurgence in American history.”
As vote counting began, three Trump campaign officials told Sky News’ American affiliate network NBC News that the mood at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort was shifting from “cautious optimism” to “optimism.” He said that he is growing up.
Republicans also took control of the Senate from Democrats.
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Donald Trump rereads his speech before addressing a crowd in Florida. Photo: Eric Trump
Zelensky and Netanyahu congratulate Trump
With the election results set to have a major impact on global politics, world leaders began celebrating Trump’s victory even before it was confirmed.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I congratulate President-elect Trump on his historic election victory and look forward to working together over the coming years… I know it will continue to thrive.” It will serve the Atlantic for many years to come. ”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was looking forward to “an era of a strong United States under the decisive leadership of President Trump.”
He added: “We appreciate President Trump’s commitment to a ‘peace through strength’ approach to world affairs. These are the very principles that could bring us substantially closer to a just peace in Ukraine.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the “biggest comeback in history!” Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the president-elect’s comments that he could end the war in Gaza within hours were put to the test. He said that it would be possible.
This comes as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Trump “warmly” and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he would “advance peace through strength.” This comes after Trump said he looked forward to working with him to achieve this goal.
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Disappointment with Mr. Harris
The race initially appeared close as Americans went to vote, but overnight results from solidly red states such as Florida, Texas and Alabama gave Trump the edge.
Harris’ support came from the party’s strongholds on the East and West Coasts, including New York, Delaware and California.
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After voting, Melania said, “I’m really grateful for everyone’s support. I know it was tough…”
Crowds at Harris’ watch party at Howard University in Washington, D.C., began lining up after midnight Wednesday as Trump prepared to address supporters in Palm Beach.
Harris did not speak at the party. Cedric Richmond, co-chair of the Harris campaign, spoke on her behalf, telling the audience there were still votes to be counted and states to be called.
“We will continue to fight throughout the night to make sure every vote is counted. Every voice is heard,” he said. “So you won’t hear from the Vice President tonight, but you’ll hear from her tomorrow. She’ll be back here tomorrow.”
