Republican Donald Trump declared victory in the 2024 presidential election after Fox News projected that he had defeated Democrat Kamala Harris. Speaking to an energetic crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Trump, alongside running mate Senator JD Vance, Republican leaders, and family members, stated, “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate, and we made history for a reason tonight.”
While some news outlets hadn’t yet called the race, Trump’s lead in key battlegrounds such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia signaled his likely path to victory. In contrast, Harris’s campaign co-chair, Cedric Richmond, addressed supporters, saying, “We still have votes to count,” indicating that Harris would speak on Wednesday.
Republicans Make Senate Gains
The GOP celebrated further wins, securing a Senate majority by flipping Democratic seats in states like West Virginia and Ohio. The House of Representatives’ control remained uncertain, though Republicans currently hold a slight majority.
Voter Turnout and Shifts in Demographics
Exit polls showed that Trump gained more support among Hispanic voters and economically struggling households, with 45% of Hispanic voters backing him—up 13 points from 2020. About 31% of voters identified the economy as their top issue, with 79% of them favoring Trump.
In areas ranging from suburban counties to traditionally Democratic urban centers, Trump improved his 2020 performance by about two percentage points, revealing a broader, albeit modest, shift toward the former president. Meanwhile, Harris’s support among urban and suburban voters fell short of Biden’s 2020 levels.
Historic Context
If confirmed, Trump, 78, would become the first president in over a century to serve non-consecutive terms and the oldest candidate elected. Conversely, a Harris victory would mark a historic first, as she would become the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American president.
Trump’s Unfounded Fraud Claims
Despite voter turnout proceeding with minimal disruptions, Trump, hours before polls closed, made baseless claims of “massive cheating” in Philadelphia and Detroit, echoing his 2020 allegations of fraud. Philadelphia and Detroit officials quickly dismissed these accusations.
Millions of Americans waited in organized lines to vote, with only minor disruptions, including isolated bomb threats, which the FBI traced back to Russian email sources.
Tuesday’s election concluded a highly charged campaign season, marked by unprecedented events, including two assassination attempts against Trump, President Biden’s unexpected exit from the race, and Harris’s accelerated rise to the Democratic nomination.
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