US election 2024: Trump elected 47th President, Harris camp somber

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, international media reports.

With his win in Wisconsin, confirmed by multiple sources, Trump crossed the 270 electoral votes needed to claim the presidency, securing victory in one of the nation's most fiercely contested races. This marks a dramatic return for Trump, who, four years ago, refused to accept defeat, resulting in a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, a felony conviction, and surviving two assassination attempts.

Harris Watch Party Turns Somber as Trump Closes In

As the race tightened, the mood at Kamala Harris’s election night watch party in Washington, D.C. grew increasingly grim. Supporters who had gathered at Howard University with optimism began to quietly disperse as it became clear Harris would not be delivering an address. The venue, once filled with hopeful chatter, was left empty, marked by abandoned decorations and chairs. This stark contrast to the jubilant celebrations unfolding in Florida, where Trump supporters awaited his victory speech, reflected the shifting mood of the night.

"I’m devastated," said Dr. Elizabeth Ryznar, a local supporter. "The consequences of a second Trump presidency are unimaginable, and I fear for our country and the planet." Others, however, held onto hope, stressing that several major cities were still counting votes. "It’s far from over," said Devante Hill, an attendee. "Metropolitan areas are always slower to report."

Electoral Vote Count

Trump's victory was confirmed after a critical win in Wisconsin, where he defeated Democratic challenger Kamala Harris, clinching the final electoral votes necessary to surpass the 270 threshold.Donald Trump has secured victories in four crucial swing states—Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina—out of the seven most closely contested states.

In a victory speech delivered at Florida’s Palm Beach Convention Center, Trump vowed to work tirelessly to deliver a “strong and prosperous America,” promising to reshape the nation’s future.

Michigan Update: A State on the Brink

Michigan, a critical swing state, remains too close to call. Despite Trump holding a slim lead, new votes from Wayne County could shift the outcome. Harris has made significant inroads in recent updates, narrowing the gap to 46 percentage points, though Trump’s advantage persists as the final ballots are tallied.

In a separate but notable development, Republican Tom Barrett, a former state senator, has flipped a key Michigan House seat, defeating Democratic candidate Curtis Hertel. Barrett’s victory strengthens the Republican hold on the House and highlights the state’s shifting political landscape, especially after Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin vacated her seat to run for Senate.

Global Reactions to Trump’s Strong Showing

World leaders have swiftly congratulated Donald Trump on his 2024 U.S. presidential victory, signaling hopes for strengthened international ties under his leadership. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed eagerness to work closely with the incoming administration, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks forward to renewing the U.S.-India strategic partnership.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the potential for resolving regional conflicts, including the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, under Trump's leadership. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are optimistic about continued collaboration in areas like security, economic growth, and innovation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Trump's "peace through strength" approach, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the victory as a reaffirmation of the strong U.S.-Israel alliance.

Concerns from Russia were voiced by former President Dmitry Medvedev, who speculated that Trump's business-focused approach might reduce U.S. financial support for Ukraine.

Abortion Rights Measures at the Polls

Several states have been voting on measures concerning abortion rights. In Arizona, voters enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution, while Nebraska rejected a proposal to expand access. Nevada voters approved a measure to protect abortion rights, although it will not take effect until 2026.

Trump’s Victory Speech: Call for Unity

In his first public appearance since claiming Pennsylvania, Trump addressed a packed room of supporters in Palm Beach, Florida. He called for unity and healing, acknowledging the nation’s divisions but urging Americans to "put the divisions of the past four years behind us" and focus on rebuilding the country. Trump hailed his electoral performance as a "historic comeback," vowing to work for the future of American families.

With his victory in Pennsylvania, Trump now holds 267 electoral votes, leaving him just three votes away from securing a second term. With several states still too close to call, including Michigan and Wisconsin, the final outcome of the 2024 election remains uncertain, but Trump’s momentum has placed him on the cusp of victory.

Trump hails Musk as GOP’s ‘new star’

President Donald Trump hailed Elon Musk as the “new star” of the Republican Party. Trump praised Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and owner of X, describing him as a “wonderful” figure and sharing a story of once leaving Musk on hold for 40 minutes to watch a SpaceX rocket launch. Musk has become a key ally in Trump’s campaign, with the billionaire’s influence growing within Republican circles. The crowd responded enthusiastically to Trump’s praise, underscoring Musk’s rising prominence in the GOP.