PALM BEACH, Florida, Nov 5 (Reuters) – Republican Donald Trump declared victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election after Fox News projected him as the winner, defeating Democrat Kamala Harris. The win marks a stunning political comeback for Trump, who had left the White House four years ago.
Addressing a jubilant crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Trump hailed what he called “an unprecedented and powerful mandate” from the American people. Standing alongside his running mate, Senator JD Vance, as well as key Republican figures and family members, he expressed gratitude to his supporters, including Elon Musk, who had invested around $120 million into his campaign. Trump also announced plans to appoint Musk to lead a government efficiency commission if he wins the White House.
Although other media outlets had not yet officially called the race, Trump’s victory appeared imminent after securing battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. Edison Research indicated he held significant leads in several other key states as well.
Harris, who had been vying to become the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American president, did not address her supporters after the results were projected. Her campaign co-chair, Cedric Richmond, spoke briefly at Howard University, stating, “We still have votes to count,” and announced that Harris would speak publicly the following day.
Trump showed strong performance across a wide range of demographics, improving on his 2020 results. He saw particular gains among Hispanic voters, traditionally Democratic-leaning groups, and lower-income households struggling with inflation. According to exit polls, Trump garnered 45% of the Hispanic vote nationwide, up 13 percentage points from 2020.
Around 31% of voters cited the economy as their primary issue, with a decisive 79% of them backing Trump. Many of these voters, especially those from lower-income households, expressed dissatisfaction with their financial situations, favoring Trump by an overwhelming margin.
Trump’s resurgence in support came despite the polarization that has defined the political climate in the U.S. Many voters, reflecting the deep divisions in the country, voiced concerns that American democracy was under threat.
The election also brought significant gains for Republicans in Congress, as they won a Senate majority by flipping Democratic seats in West Virginia and Ohio. The battle for control of the House of Representatives remains unresolved.
With Trump, 78, poised to win a non-consecutive second term, the historical significance of the moment is undeniable. He would become the oldest president ever elected and the first to win a non-consecutive term in over a century.
The election, which unfolded against the backdrop of unprecedented events—including two assassination attempts on Trump—captured the attention of voters and global investors alike. As results trickled in, U.S. stock futures and the dollar rose, signaling growing confidence in a potential Trump victory.
Despite claims by Trump of election fraud in cities like Philadelphia and Detroit, no credible evidence has emerged to substantiate those accusations. Local officials in both cities have denied the allegations, with Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey calling the claims “nonsense.”
Reporting by Reuters.
