WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Donald Trump has been elected the 47th President of the United States, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in stunning fashion on Tuesday night as voters went to the polls.
“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president,” Trump told supporters at a victory party in Palm Beach, Florida.
“This was a movement like no one has ever seen before,” he added. “Frankly, I believe this was the greatest political movement of all time.”
Trump took an early lead as he racked up wins in Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi leading to a 91-27 Electoral Vote count that Harris would never lead in. Among the critical battleground states, Trump won Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He also has leads in Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan at the time of this writing.
“Now it is going to reach a new level of importance,” Trump said of his return to the White House. “Because we are going to help our country heal.”
Trump was joined on stage by members of his family, key staffers and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio.
“Well, Mr. President, I appreciate you allowing me to join you on this incredible journey,” Vance said. “I think we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America.”
Trump also has a lead in the popular vote as of this writing and if he holds onto that, he would be the first Republican nominee to win the popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004.
“Winning the popular vote was very nice,” Trump said.
Trump will now begin the transition to the White House and has promised RFK Jr. a key role in his cabinet as health czar, according to reports.
Voters chose Trump despite warnings from both Democrats and Trump’s own former aides that he will rule as an authoritarian.
During his speech on Wednesday morning, Trump promised to keep his word on cutting taxes, fixing Social Security recipients, tipped workers and wage earners — raise tariffs and stop illegal immigration.