Donald Trump has declared victory in the 2024 presidential election, vowing to "heal" the country in his post-election speech. The announcement came after Fox News projected him as the winner, although other networks have yet to make an official call. Trump, along with his wife Melania and family, addressed supporters at his campaign headquarters in Florida, celebrating what he described as an "unprecedented" political comeback.
Trump's projected wins in key swing states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, place him ahead of his opponent, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. The election outcome, however, remains pending as votes are still being counted in other states. In addition to Trump's apparent victory, the Republican Party has reportedly regained control of the Senate, flipping two seats to reverse the previous Democratic majority.
A Trump victory marks a significant political shift with potential global impacts, as allies in Europe and Asia express concerns over a return to his nationalist policies. Financial markets, however, responded positively, with a surge in the US dollar and record highs in bitcoin.
In Washington, Harris supporters were disheartened by the results, with her campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond announcing that the vice president would address supporters the following day. The mood contrasted sharply with celebrations at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, where tech mogul Elon Musk, a Trump supporter, posted a celebratory message on social media.
The race, marked by tensions and even bomb threats at polling stations in Georgia and Pennsylvania, has drawn worldwide attention. Harris’s campaign emphasized the stakes, portraying Trump as a threat to democracy and criticizing his immigration policies and stance on abortion.
As Trump faces a November 26 sentencing in a hush money criminal case, his comeback marks a historic moment, making him only the second president to serve non-consecutive terms. The victory may reshape US foreign policy, with Trump hinting at significant changes to US support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian invasion.
