Trump Wins Presidential Race
In a stunning comeback, former President Donald Trump has won the 2024 U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday, citing decisive victories in key swing states that put him over the 270-electoral vote threshold. Trump addressed supporters from Palm Beach, Florida, declaring victory and describing his campaign as “the greatest political movement of all time.”
Trump Wins Presidential Race: Strong Swing State Performance
Donald Trump clinched the presidency after winning crucial battleground states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. The AP’s call for Pennsylvania just after 2:30 a.m. EST was particularly significant, propelling Trump close to the 270-vote mark. His strong performances in Michigan and Georgia, where he widened his lead with over 90% of votes counted, left little room for Harris to catch up. Trump’s margins were notably higher than in 2020, reversing previous Democratic gains.
Trump Wins Presidential Race: World Leaders Extend Congratulations
Following Trump’s projected victory, world leaders began to offer their congratulations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and French President Emmanuel Macron took to social media to acknowledge Trump’s return to office. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also offered congratulations, though the AP had not formally declared the overall winner at the time.
Economic Markets Surge
Tesla stock surged by 12% in premarket trading after Trump’s re-election and a favourable mention of Elon Musk in his victory speech. Musk was praised by Trump as a “super genius,” which boosted investor confidence in the tech sector. Meanwhile, Dow and S&P 500 futures rose by over 2% as Trump appeared poised for victory, signalling optimism among investors about his pro-business policies.
Republicans Take Senate Majority
The GOP regained control of the Senate, flipping key seats in states like West Virginia and Ohio. For example, in Ohio, Republican candidate Bernie Moreno defeated three-term Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown, marking a major shift. Consequently, this new majority, alongside a Republican White House, sets the stage for significant changes in legislative priorities.
Tensions and Controversies at Polls
Polling in several states experienced disruptions, with bomb threats reported at locations in Pennsylvania and Georgia. These threats, attributed to Russian actors, temporarily closed some polling places and fueled concerns about election security. Polling stations in Arizona and Michigan also faced issues, including equipment malfunctions and evacuations. Despite these challenges, officials assured the public that voting continued securely.
Harris Campaign’s Response
The Harris campaign remained resolute, even as Trump began to pull ahead in key states. Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon emphasized that Harris’ team anticipated strong turnouts in cities like Philadelphia and Detroit. However, as vote totals continued to favour Trump, the Harris team acknowledged that pathways to victory were narrowing.
Shift in Voter Demographics
Exit polls revealed shifts in voter demographics that favoured Trump. Latino and Black voter support for Harris lagged behind President Biden’s 2020 performance, while Trump gained ground with Latino men. NBC’s exit polling also suggested that white voters were moving away from Trump, while minority voters were showing growing support for him.
Trump’s Remarks on Musk and Vance
In his victory speech, Trump reserved special praise for Elon Musk, highlighting Musk’s contributions to space exploration and describing him as a “super genius.” Trump also lauded his running mate, Senator JD Vance, whom he credited with “obliterating” opposition in media appearances. Both figures are seen as pivotal allies in Trump’s administration as he prepares for his second term.
Election Overview
This election stands out as one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, marked by an unprecedented matchup between a former president facing multiple criminal convictions and a sitting vice president who rose to the top of her party’s ticket under extraordinary circumstances. Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race at 81, under pressure from within his own party, Vice President Kamala Harris now leads the Democratic ticket, striving to make history as the first woman elected to the presidency. Her opponent, former President Donald Trump, aims to return to the White House as the oldest president to assume office. National and swing-state polls reveal a tight race, with neither candidate securing a decisive lead. Trump initially led over Biden, but Harris’s entry saw a shift, leaving the race deadlocked.
Key Congressional Races
On Capitol Hill, Republicans appear poised to regain control of the Senate, though the House remains highly competitive. In the Senate, where Democrats currently hold a slim 51-49 majority, the stakes are high, with 23 Democrat-held seats up for reelection versus just 11 held by Republicans—none of which are rated as competitive by the Cook Political Report. The House, where Republicans hold a narrow 221-214 majority, is much more uncertain. According to FiveThirtyEight, Republicans have a slight edge, with a 51% chance of retaining control, while Democrats hold a 49% likelihood of reclaiming the majority.
Timing of Election Results
Polls in eastern Kentucky and most of Indiana will close at 6 p.m., marking the start of results for the night. However, insights into the national outcome are likely to come later, as counts from key swing states start to be reported. Georgia and North Carolina are expected to be among the first to release results, offering early indicators of which candidate may have the edge in this historic race.
