After being declared the winner of North Carolina, Mr. Trump, who had served as president between 2017 and 2021, netted his first swing state. He was declared the winner of Georgia — where he narrowly lost to Joe Biden in 2020 — about an hour later Donald Trump wins. Soon after, he was projected as the winner of Pennsylvania, one of the seven key battleground states. His victory was confirmed when he won Wisconsin, putting him over the 270 electoral college votes needed, and he appears on track to sweep all seven swing states.
With defeat seeming imminent, Ms. Harris’s aides announced earlier on Wednesday that she would delay speaking. At Howard University in Washington, D.C., the lectern where her supporters had hoped she’d deliver a historic victory speech remained covered due to rain. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump headed to Palm Beach, Florida, declaring victory to reporters traveling with him before the official results were confirmed.
Addressing his followers, Trump said, “We are going to mend our nation. Our country urgently needs help. We’re going to secure our borders and fix everything — maybe that’s why we made history tonight.” In his speech, reaffirming his commitment to address illegal immigration, he promised those gathered a “golden age of America.” He added, “This is a big win for the American people, and we will ‘make America great again.’” The president-elect paused momentarily as the crowd chanted “USA, USA, USA!”
Mr. Trump continued, “For the first time in our country’s history, America has bestowed upon us an unprecedented and powerful mandate. The Senate is ours again. Wow. That’s great.” He then noted that Senate races in Montana, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania were all won by the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.
Introducing his running mate, JD Vance, Mr. Trump listened as the incoming vice president said, “I think we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of this country. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will never stop fighting for your dreams and your children’s future. Following this historic comeback, we will also achieve the greatest economic resurgence in American history.”
As vote counting began, three Trump campaign officials told NBC News that the atmosphere at Mar-a-Lago shifted from “cautious optimism” to “optimism.”
Zelenskyy and Netanyahu Congratulate Trump
World leaders began congratulating Mr. Trump even before his victory was confirmed. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated, “Congratulations, President-elect Trump, on your historic victory. I look forward to working with you for years to come… I am confident the UK-US special relationship will prosper on both sides of the Atlantic.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed anticipation for a “strong United States under President Trump’s decisive leadership,” adding, “I applaud President Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs. This principle will practically advance just peace in Ukraine.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mr. Trump’s “greatest comeback in history,” while senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri noted that the new president would be tested on his assertion that he could bring an end to the Gaza conflict within hours. Additionally, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “warmly” congratulated Mr. Trump, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated he looks forward to collaborating with him to “promote peace through strength.”
Disappointment for Harris
Initially, the race appeared tightly contested as Americans headed to the polls, but Mr. Trump pulled ahead as projections came in from solidly red states like Florida, Texas, and Alabama. Ms. Harris’s support remained strong in her party’s traditional strongholds on the East and West coasts, including New York, Delaware, and California.
As Mr. Trump prepared to speak in Palm Beach, the crowd at Ms. Harris’s gathering at Howard University began to disperse just after midnight. Cedric Richmond, co-chairman of the Harris campaign, addressed the audience instead, saying votes still needed counting and states remained uncalled. “We will continue to fight to make sure every vote is counted and every voice heard,” he said. “You won’t hear from the Vice President tonight, but she will be back tomorrow.”
