Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States, marking a remarkable political comeback four years after he was voted out of office. His return to the White House is expected to test democratic institutions at home and influence relations abroad.
Trump, 78, recaptured the presidency on Wednesday by surpassing the 270 Electoral College votes required to win, according to projections by Edison Research. His campaign strategy, characterized by intense rhetoric, has deepened existing political divides within the country. A victory in the critical swing state of Wisconsin secured Trump’s path to victory. As of 5:45 a.m. ET, he held 279 electoral votes to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 223, with several states still tallying results. Trump also led by roughly 5 million votes in the popular count.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” Trump declared to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The former president’s triumphant return comes after many believed his political career had ended following his 2020 loss and the subsequent Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. His campaign overcame internal Republican challengers and ultimately defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris by emphasizing voter concerns over inflation and what Trump described as rising crime due to illegal immigration, though he provided no evidence to support these claims.
Harris did not address her supporters gathered at Howard University, her alma mater, but her campaign co-chair, Cedric Richmond, briefly spoke after midnight. “We still have votes to count,” he said, adding that Harris would speak publicly later in the day.
In addition to Trump’s victory, Republicans gained control of the U.S. Senate, though the balance of power in the House of Representatives remains uncertain as both parties compete for control.
