Donald Trump declared victory over Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election, pledging to “heal” the country as results appeared to place him on the brink of a remarkable White House return.
Despite Trump’s confident claims, only Fox News had declared him the winner, with other major U.S. networks refraining from making the call. At his campaign headquarters in Florida, Trump was joined by his wife Melania and several of his children as supporters erupted in cheers, chanting “USA.”
“We are going to help our country heal,” Trump said in an upbeat speech, calling his apparent victory “a political win like this country has never seen before.”
Several key states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, were called for Trump by some networks. He led in others as well, though these states had not yet been officially declared. Meanwhile, the mood turned somber in Harris’s camp. Cedric Richmond, Harris’s campaign co-chair, informed a gathering of her supporters in Washington that she would not address them until the following day.
Adding to the Democratic Party’s setbacks, Republicans secured control of the Senate, flipping two seats to reclaim a narrow majority. The potential return of Trump has stirred international apprehension, with allies in Europe and Asia expressing concerns about the possible resurgence of his nationalist policies and praise for authoritarian leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Global markets responded swiftly: the U.S. dollar surged, bitcoin hit record highs, and equity markets advanced, reflecting investor expectations of a Trump victory.
Mood Shift as Results Roll In
For weeks, polls had forecasted a close race between Harris and Trump. Trump, who would become the oldest president at inauguration and the first in history to serve non-consecutive terms while facing legal issues, has maintained a strong following despite his 2020 election denial and recent criminal conviction. Trump is also set to face sentencing in a criminal case involving hush money payments on November 26.
As results came in, a marked shift in atmosphere was noted. At Harris’s watch party at Howard University, her alma mater and a historically Black institution, attendees grew visibly anxious. “I am scared,” said Charlyn Anderson, one of her supporters. “I am anxious now. I am leaving; my legs can barely move.”
Meanwhile, celebrations intensified at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Elon Musk, an outspoken Trump supporter, posted a photo with him on social media, stating, “Game, set, and match.”
The stakes of the election were monumental, with millions of Americans voting early or standing in long lines on Election Day. Voters faced a choice: restore Trump to office or make Harris the first woman in the world’s most powerful role.
The tense election day underscored fears of violence. Dozens of bomb threats were reported at polling sites in Georgia and Pennsylvania, disrupting the process. The FBI linked the threats to Russian actors, who they believe were attempting to meddle in the election. The threats were ultimately deemed hoaxes.
Campaigns Defined by Stark Contrasts
Harris, 60, aimed to make history as the second Black president and the first of South Asian descent. She entered the race unexpectedly in July after President Biden’s withdrawal and had campaigned on safeguarding democracy and protecting abortion rights against Trump’s conservative agenda.
In contrast, Trump’s campaign was marked by hardline rhetoric. He pledged a massive deportation campaign targeting undocumented immigrants, rallying his base with fiery speeches. The election has also drawn global attention, especially from regions in conflict, such as Ukraine and the Middle East. Trump has hinted at potentially cutting aid to Ukraine, which is battling a Russian invasion.
As the dust settles, the outcome of this election promises significant impacts both domestically and internationally, with the world watching closely.
