In a stunning twist to the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump has claimed victory over Kamala Harris, signaling a potential political comeback that has sent shockwaves through the United States and the world.
His exuberant announcement came early Wednesday, November 6, despite only Fox News declaring him the winner, while other networks had yet to make a final call on the tight election.
Trump, speaking from his campaign headquarters in Florida, pledged to “heal” the nation, promising a new era of leadership.
The former president, flanked by his wife Melania and several of his children, addressed a jubilant crowd of supporters, many chanting “USA!” as he took the stage.
“This is a victory that our country has never seen before. We’re going to help our country heal,” Trump declared.
“This political triumph transcends anything we’ve witnessed in our history.”
As of the early hours of Wednesday morning, key swing states—Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina—had been called for Trump, giving him a lead in the race.
Despite the ongoing counting of ballots, Trump’s performance in these crucial battlegrounds appeared to secure his path to victory.
His commanding leads in these states put him ahead of Harris in other critical areas as well.
However, the results were still being determined, with networks refraining from declaring a winner across the board.
Cedric Richmond, campaign co-chair for Harris, struck a defiant tone at a watch party in Washington, D.C., suggesting that the vice president would address supporters the following day.
“You won’t hear from the vice president tonight, but you will hear from her tomorrow,” Richmond told the crowd, as many supporters, visibly disheartened, began to leave the venue.
Republicans Take Senate Control
In addition to Trump’s potential victory, the Republican Party claimed control of the Senate, flipping two seats to overturn the narrow Democratic majority.
This marks a significant political shift, leaving the Democrats grappling with the prospect of a divided Congress.
Global Reactions and Market Movements
A Trump victory threatens to send shockwaves through global politics. Many of the United States’ allies in Europe and Asia expressed concern over a potential return to Trump’s “America First” policies, particularly his fondness for autocratic leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
However, financial markets responded positively to the news, with the US dollar surging and Bitcoin hitting a record high as investors bet on the likelihood of a Trump win. Equity markets also advanced, with traders eager to respond to the possibility of a more business-friendly administration.
The Road to Victory: A Surprising Outcome
For weeks, polls had indicated a razor-thin race between Harris and Trump, with both candidates locked in a battle for key swing states.
If Trump’s win is confirmed, he would make history as the oldest person ever to hold the office of president, the first felon president, and the second to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland.
Despite his looming criminal case over hush money payments, set for sentencing on November 26, and ongoing controversy over his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election, Trump’s victory came as a surprise to many observers, given the bitterly divided political climate.
Anxious Mood Shifts at Harris Watch Party
At Harris’s watch party at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the mood shifted dramatically as early results rolled in. For many of her supporters, the reality of a Trump win was difficult to bear.
“I am scared,” said Charlyn Anderson, a Harris supporter. “I am anxious now. I am leaving, my legs can barely move.”
Celebrations at Mar-a-Lago and Beyond
In stark contrast, celebrations erupted at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where the mood was electric. Among those joining in the festivities was tech mogul Elon Musk, who has publicly backed Trump and has indicated that he would be willing to lead a government efficiency commission under a second Trump administration. Musk, who owns X (formerly Twitter) and Tesla, posted a celebratory picture with the Republican frontrunner, declaring, “Game, set, and match.”
Election Day Tensions and International Concerns
Election Day itself was marked by widespread voter turnout and increased tension across the country. Some polling stations in Georgia and Pennsylvania were temporarily disrupted by bomb threats, later identified by the FBI as hoaxes likely originating from Russia.
The threats added an element of chaos to the proceedings but did not prevent voters from casting their ballots.
This election, with global ramifications, drew widespread attention. Throughout the race, both Trump and Harris faced intense scrutiny, with Harris seeking to make history as the first woman, and the second Black person, to hold the presidency, while Trump aimed for an unprecedented political comeback.
The election has sparked fears of further divisions in the United States, especially as Trump’s rhetoric grew darker in the final days of his campaign. His controversial promises, including a nationwide deportation campaign and strong opposition to abortion rights, have stoked tensions, particularly among progressive voters and minority communities.
What’s Next for the US and the World?
As the results continue to be tallied, both domestic and international observers are closely watching the situation, particularly in war zones such as Ukraine, where Trump has indicated he may reduce US support for the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A potential shift in US foreign policy under a second Trump administration has raised alarms, especially in Europe and NATO member states.
For now, both campaigns are holding their breath as the final votes are counted. With the outcome still uncertain, the 2024 election promises to be a defining moment in US history, with the future of American democracy—and its place in the world—hanging in the balance.
