UPDATE @ 6.30AM | Donald Trump has claimed victory in the US presidential election, marking a stunning return to the White House four years after being booted from office.
He becomes just the second President in US history to serve non-consecutive terms.
The result is a phenomenal comeback for Trump, which has also seen him win the popular vote for the first time.
Trump’s path to victory began when he held the swing state of North Carolina, one of seven battlegrounds that would decide the election.
He later picked up Georgia before experts called Pennsylvania for Trump, effectively shutting the door on Kamala Harris’ hopes of securing victory.
Trump has since won other swing states across the so-called ‘blue belt’, including Michigan and Wisconsin.
He also leads in Nevada and Arizona which both voted for Joe Biden in 2020.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 06: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president. And every citizen: I will fight for you, for your family and your future,” Trump told supporters in Florida.
“Every single day I will be fighting for you, and with every breath in my body, I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.
“This will truly be the golden age of America. That’s what we have to know.”
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 06: Supporters react as Fox News projects Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump is elected president during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Harris did not publicly concede defeat on Tuesday night (US time) and opted not to address the thousands of supporters that turned out at her election party at Howard University in Washington DC.
“We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet,” Harris campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond told the crowd.
“We will continue overnight to fight to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken.
“So you won’t hear from the vice president tonight but you will hear from her tomorrow.”
Harris has since called Trump to congratulate him on his victory and is due to address supporters on Thursday morning Australian time.
A supporter reacts to election results during an election night event for US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris at Howard University in Washington, DC, on November 5, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
The Republicans are also set to regain control of the US Senate after picking up two seats, and retain control of the US House of Representatives.
More to come.
