Former President Donald Trump declared a “magnificent” victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. Speaking at an event held at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, Trump addressed his enthusiastic supporters early Wednesday, just as he moved within reach of an electoral majority.
Although official counts were not fully completed, Fox News reported his apparent lead, and supporters erupted into cheers as Trump took the stage alongside former First Lady Melania Trump.
“This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again,” Trump said in his address. His speech celebrated what he described as a remarkable comeback, with some world leaders congratulating him on his success.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, hoping for peace support from Trump, extended early congratulations. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing strained relations with the Biden administration, quickly called Trump’s return “history’s greatest comeback.”
Despite final results pending, Trump secured several key swing states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, while Harris struggled to gain sufficient ground in other battleground states. The atmosphere at Harris’s watch party in Washington, D.C., took a somber turn as her team canceled planned events amid dwindling hopes. “You won’t hear from the vice president tonight, but you will hear from her tomorrow,” campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond assured supporters.
Adding to the Democratic Party’s setbacks, Republicans also took control of the Senate by flipping two critical seats, potentially allowing Trump to pursue his policies more decisively if his victory is confirmed.
On stage, Trump reflected on the intense campaign, referencing “history” made and the hardships faced, including two reported assassination attempts. Thanking his supporters, he pledged, “we are going to help our country heal.” Among those present was tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who received recognition from Trump as a “new star.”
Early reports indicated that Trump’s campaign found unexpected support from Latino and Black voters, and financial markets responded with optimism. U.S. stock futures rose, and Bitcoin reached a record high as investors anticipated favorable business policies.