Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump, points to supporters with former first lady Melania Trump during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Centre on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Just hours after he declared victory in the United States election on Wednesday, polls and pundits confirmed that Donald Trump would indeed be the country’s 47th president.
Trump won the popular vote and received enough swing state votes to surpass the 270 needed for the Electoral College.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd at his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump framed the moment as the start of a “golden age of America”.
His running mate, JD Vance, joined him at the campaign headquarters, alongside high-profile supporters like former Democrat RFK Jr, right wing podcaster Tucker Carlson, and British MP Nigel Farage.
As Trump and his family walked onto the stage, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played to a cheering crowd that chanted, “USA, USA,” as Trump approached the podium.
“Frankly, I believe this was the greatest political movement of all time. There’s never been anything like this in our country or beyond,” Trump said, drawing applause.
He said the movement would “reach a new level” as America began to “heal”.
“Our country needs this very badly,” he added, pledging to “fix our borders and everything about our country”.
Trump described his campaign as a historic achievement, saying, “We overcame obstacles no one thought possible”.
He thanked voters, calling his re-election a “political victory the United States had never seen before”.
“I want to thank the American people for the honour of being elected as your 47th president and as your 45th president,” he said.
“To every citizen, I will fight for you, your family, and your future. I will not stop until we’ve delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that your children and you deserve.”
North Carolina — which Trump and Democrat candidate Kamala Harris visited repeatedly while campaigning — became the first swing state to lean red.
The result had been a “magnificent victory”, he said.
Republicans have also taken the Senate and appear to be in line to retain control of the House.
Harris gave a concession speech in Washington DC, telling the audience she had phoned Trump, conceded, and told him she would assist with a “peaceful transfer of power”.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say…the light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up, and as long as we keep on fighting,” she said.