In a landmark victory, Donald Trump has secured his return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, amassing over 292 electoral college votes, well beyond the 270 required. His opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, garnered 224 votes, according to the Associated Press.
Following the announcement, President Joe Biden congratulated Trump and extended an invitation to the White House for a transition discussion. A White House statement indicated that staff would coordinate a date “in the near future.”
Trump, addressing a jubilant crowd in West Palm Beach, Florida, declared his administration’s commitment to building a “strong, safe, and richer America.” He vowed to tackle illegal immigration, stating, “We are going to secure our borders immediately. No illegal immigrants will be allowed to enter this country.” He also pledged tax cuts and an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting, “I would not start a war; I will end one.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, among other world leaders, extended his congratulations, emphasizing the shared goals between the US and Nigeria. “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, conveyed in a statement. Tinubu noted that Trump’s victory “reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s win as “history’s greatest comeback,” highlighting a renewed commitment to the US-Israel alliance. In China, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed cautious optimism, calling for “peaceful coexistence” in US-China relations.
Prominent Nigerian voices also weighed in, with former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi describing Trump’s return as a troubling reflection on America’s values. “This is a victory of crudity over refinement, a victory for all that the United States should not stand for,” Akinyemi said in an interview.
As Trump prepares for his January inauguration, he promised, “I will not rest until we have delivered a strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”
