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Donald Trump has won a historic second term in the White House in a shocking political comeback four years after leaving office.
Trump surpassed the magic number of 270 Electoral College votes early on Wednesday after winning key battleground states. He also won 51 percent of the popular vote.
Counting is still underway in Arizona and Nevada but those results will not alter the outcome.
The president-elect took to the stage with his family and running mate JD Vance promising a “golden age for America” and hailing “the greatest political movement of all time”.
Republicans have also likely taken control of the Senate, having been in the minority there since 2021.
Kamala Harris called Trump to congratulate him on his victory. She spoke of the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for the whole country.
In her concession speech at Howard University, the vice president said that while she concedes the election, she does not concede the fight that fueled her campaign.
“The fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, and dignity of all people, and ideals at the heart of this nation… that is a fight I will never give up.”
Democrat anger as blame game begins for Kamala Harris’ devastating loss
Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party lost the White House, lost the Senate, and still may lose the House. The Supreme Court has a conservative majority that handed Trump a presidential “get out of jail free” card for almost anything he does in office between 2025 and 2028.
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 03:00
Melania Trump says new administration will ‘safeguard the heart of our republic – freedom’
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 02:52
Watch: Trump legal team to argue New York criminal sentencing shouldn’t go ahead
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 02:40
Harris issues defiant two-word vow after election loss
Kamala Harris issues defiant two-word vow after losing election to Donald Trump
Kamala Harris vowed to “keep fighting” in her first speech after her 2024 presidential election loss to Donald Trump. The vice president’s voice appeared to crack as she told a crowd at Howard University in Washington, DC: “The light of the American promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up.” Making her concession speech, Ms Harris detailed her call with her Republican opponent following his victory, declaring that the US “must accept the results of this election.” She pledged to help Mr Trump and his team with their transition and “engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 02:30
Trump transition co-chairs give update on first steps toward new administration
Trump-Vance Transition Co-Chairs Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick released the following statement on the progress and next steps for the transition to the new administration:
“Since the formation of President Trump’s transition organization and our announcement as Co-Chairs in August, we have been preparing for President Trump’s next administration. In the days and weeks ahead, President Trump will be selecting personnel to serve our nation under his leadership and enact policies that make the life of Americans affordable, safe, and secure. We are proud to volunteer our time to present President Trump with a wide array of experts from which he can select for his team. The American people decisively elected President Trump in a historic victory and delivered a mandate that puts the working men and women of our nation first. As he chooses the best people to join his team and best policies to pursue, his transition team will ensure the implementation of President Trump’s common sense agenda starting on Day 1.”
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins says there is an expectation that Trump could announce who he has selected for some key positions within days.
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 02:21
Obamas and Clintons react to Trump’s election win
The Obamas and the Clintons congratulated Donald Trump after he decisively defeated Vice President Kamala Harris on Election Day.
Trump’s victory was called early Wednesday morning as secured his return to the White House. Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton all posted on social media later in the day wishing Trump and running JD Vance well. The Clintons and the Obamas had been on the campaign trail for Harris, but their efforts fell short.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 02:10
Trump offered ‘hearty congratulations’ by UK PM Sir Keir Starmer
But the leaders shared a “fond” phone call in the aftermath of Trump’s historic political comeback four years after leaving office.
Barney Davis reports from London.
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 02:00
Man tried to enter Capitol with flare gun, fuel on election day
A man named Austin Olson attempted to enter the US Capitol with a flare gun, lighter, and fuel on Election Day.
Per the complaint filed by the US Capitol Police in DC federal court:
OLSON explained, on Monday, November 4, 2024, he packed up his “Political Thesis,” a flare gun, flares, two notebooks, and his backpack, and began a drive to Washington, D.C. OLSON stopped at a gas station in Westland, Michigan and filled his vehicle’s fuel tank, as well as a metal water bottle and a glass liquor bottle with gasoline. He placed the two bottles in his backpack and placed the backpack in the trunk of his vehicle. OLSON drove through the night and arrived in Washington, D.C. in the mid-morning hours of Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
OLSON admitted he wrote his “thesis” and planned to travel to the Washington, D.C. on Election Day with the intent to deliver his “thesis” to Congress and get arrested in the hope of gaining viral media attention to spread his message. OLSON specifically stated that he chose Election Day to maximize the impact of his statement. OLSON denied that he intended to start a fire or light himself on fire. OLSON denied any intent to harm anyone. OLSON stated he did intend to get arrested by bringing the flare gun and gasoline, knowing it would provoke a police response.
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 01:52
ANALYSIS: What a second Trump presidency means for America
His third campaign was defined by a promise of retribution and a sharpened nativist agenda to take America back again, Alex Woodward reports:
Oliver O’Connell7 November 2024 01:45
