Trump clinches victory in Georgia, NC battleground states

Former President Donald Trump has secured significant victories in crucial battleground states, including Georgia and North Carolina, further tightening his path toward the 270 electoral votes needed to win the 2024 US presidential election.

With votes still being counted in several swing states, Trump’s early wins provide a clear advantage, particularly as the GOP has also reclaimed control of the Senate.

Trump’s victory in Georgia, a state he narrowly lost in 2020, is a pivotal moment in the race. His early campaigning in the state, focusing on boosting turnout in rural and suburban areas, appears to have paid off.

Trump had encouraged Republican voters to cast their ballots early, a strategy that helped solidify his lead despite significant Democratic turnout in urban centers like Atlanta.

North Carolina’s call for Trump further strengthens his standing. By winning both Georgia and North Carolina, Trump has already captured two of the most contested states, giving him a broad base of support in the Sun Belt.

These victories also make it increasingly difficult for Vice President Kamala Harris to secure a win in the general election, particularly as she struggles to hold onto key northern battlegrounds like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, the GOP has regained control of the Senate, securing at least 51 seats after major wins in West Virginia and Ohio. In Ohio, Republican Bernie Moreno defeated Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, marking a major shift in the state’s political landscape.

Moreno’s victory, alongside other wins in swing states, signals a renewed Republican strength in the upper chamber of Congress.

Harris, facing mounting pressure, still has a narrow path to victory but must rely heavily on holding the “blue wall” of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Losing any of these states could endanger her chances of securing the necessary 270 electoral votes.

In addition, the GOP's Senate victories ensure they will have significant influence in confirming the next president’s Cabinet and any Supreme Court appointments.

On Election Night, Harris’ campaign event at Howard University took a somber turn as results began to trickle in. Initially buoyed by optimism, the mood shifted to one of anxiety as more states were called in Trump’s favor.

The atmosphere at Harris’ watch party mirrored the uncertainty of the 2016 election, with supporters becoming restless as key battleground states remained undecided.

In a surprising turn, Republicans also made inroads with minority voters. Preliminary exit polls indicated a slight increase in support from Black and Latino voters for Trump compared to 2020.

This shift, particularly in critical swing states like Georgia, could further influence the final outcome.

Recently, Fox News projected Trump has won the battleground state of Pennsylvania, which would all but close off Democrat Kamala Harris' chances of winning the US presidency.

However as election unfolds, Trump’s campaign, buoyed by his early victories, has expressed confidence about the path ahead.

Previously, at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump celebrated his Florida victory with supporters, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, a key backer of his 2024 campaign.

Musk, who has campaigned in swing states like Pennsylvania and donated over $119 million to Trump’s PAC, joined Trump at the Palm Beach Convention Center, where cheers erupted as results came in from Georgia and North Carolina.

Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and other Trump allies also attended, fueling an optimistic atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Democrats are holding out hope for a late rally, but as the race continues into Wednesday morning, the momentum seems to favor the Republican challenger.

With several key races still to be decided, including in Pennsylvania and Michigan, the 2024 election remains tight, but Trump’s position is looking increasingly favorable.

The focus now turns to the final battleground states and the ongoing battle for control of the House of Representatives.