Trump wins US presidential election

Donald Trump has won the election to become the 47th president of the United States.

Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, recapturing the White House. With crucial projections from Alaska and Wisconsin, Donald Trump now has 294 electoral votes, while Kamala Harris stands at 223.

Over 82 million people in the country took advantage of early voting to cast their ballots.

Trump delivered a victory speech to ecstatic supporters in Florida, moments after the key swing state of Pennsylvania was called in his favour, vowing to heal the country and send the US into a “golden age”.

He also referred to the July 13 assassination attempt and said “God spared my life for a reason”.

Trump’s victory over Harris, the first woman of colour to lead a major party ticket, marks the second time he has defeated a female opponent in a general election. In 2016, he defeated Hillary Clinton to become the 45th US President.

Addressing a large gathering at West Palm Beach in Florida, Trump said: “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president, and your 45th president… I will be fighting for you 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.”

It is an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, was accused of sparking a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.

Major stock markets around the world rallied following Trump’s victory, and the dollar was set for its biggest one-day jump since 2020.

Voters identified jobs and the economy as the country’s most pressing problem, according to Reuters/Ipsos opinion polls. Many Americans remained frustrated by higher prices even amid record-high stock markets, fast-growing wages and low unemployment. With the administration of President Joe Biden taking much of the blame, a majority of voters said they trusted Trump more than Harris to address the issue.

Hispanics, traditionally Democratic voters, and lower-income households hit hardest by inflation helped fuel Trump’s election victory. His loyal base of rural, white and non-college educated voters again showed up in force.

Trump gave a special shoutout to his vice-presidential running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio and his Indian-origin wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance.

In his victory speech, Trump introduced Vance as the “next Vice President-elect of the United States,” and Usha as “his absolutely remarkable and beautiful wife”.

Describing the 40-year-old first-term Senator as a “feisty guy” who goes up against opponents head-on, Trump lauded his loyalty and resilience.

Trump heaped praise on billionaire Elon Musk in his victory speech, and said a “new star is born.” Trump talked extensively about SpaceX’s rockets and hailed Musk as a “super genius” adding that “we need to protect our super geniuses.”

Harris will not address her supporters on election night, but will speak later Wednesday, Harris campaign co-chair, former Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., told Harris supporters gathered at her alma mater, Howard University, on Tuesday.

(Agencies)

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