Donald Trump declares victory over Kamala Harris in the US presidential race, marking a potential historic comeback to the White House.
Addressing enthusiastic supporters in Florida, Trump promised to usher in a “new golden age for America,” needing just one more state to secure 270 electoral votes and reclaim the presidency. If successful, he would become the first former president in over 130 years to return to office.
Trump’s Republican Party is also projected to regain majority control of the Senate, a significant win for his agenda.
Joined by his family and vice-presidential pick JD Vance, Trump told the crowd in West Palm Beach: “This will truly be the golden age of America, and we will make America great again.”
Billionaire Elon Musk, a major Trump supporter, was by his side throughout the evening as the results poured in. Musk shared optimistic messages on his platform, X, as Trump’s chances of sweeping key swing states improved.
Trump is expected to win Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, with Wisconsin and Michigan leaning in his favor. He holds a strong lead in Nevada, while the race remains tight in Arizona.
While Trump has dominated conservative states like Florida and Idaho, Harris secured victories in liberal states such as New York and California. The Vice President had been anticipated to speak at Howard University on election night but canceled her appearance after midnight, and no statement has been made since.
Exit polls suggest Harris may have underperformed with women and minority voters, losing ground compared to Biden’s 2020 performance. Despite this, Trump appears poised to become America’s oldest president.
In addition to the presidential race, control of Congress is up for grabs, with Republicans projected to win control of the Senate after gaining key seats in West Virginia, Ohio, and Texas. While control of the House remains uncertain, Republican dominance in Congress would ease Trump’s path to pass major policy initiatives, including mass deportations and sweeping tax cuts.
In what has been one of the most contentious campaigns in recent history, around 86 million early votes were cast. Trump, who faced significant setbacks in his previous presidency, including impeachment and criminal charges, has rebounded to claim the Republican nomination and now stands poised to secure a dramatic political comeback.
Attention now shifts to the composition of Trump’s potential cabinet, with speculation around key appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who may take on a role in healthcare.
Legal teams from both sides are on standby as potential challenges and post-election disputes loom. National security agencies remain alert, though the election process has so far remained peaceful, despite multiple bomb hoaxes targeting election-related sites across the country.
