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'We made history': Trump claims election victory as swing states turn red

Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, 6 November 2024
Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, 6 November 2024 Copyright  AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Copyright AP Photo/Evan Vucci
By Tamsin Paternoster
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The Republican candidate has been projected to win the keys to the White House for his second term after securing gains in three key swing states, including Pennsylvania.

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Donald Trump declared himself the victor of the US presidential election on Wednesday morning, right after partial results said he had won three key swing states.

"This has been the greatest political movement of all time," Trump said in his victory speech at campaign headquarters in Florida, with official election results not yet confirmed.

"This is a magnificent victory for the American people, that will allow us to make America great again," he added, using his campaign's catchphrase.

Trump dubbed his second mandate a "golden age" for America and its people, all to chants of "USA, USA" from the crowd.

He said his party would help the country "heal" and vowed to fix America's borders, saying he and the Republican party had "made history" for a reason.

"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," he declared, noting that Republicans had "taken back control" of the Senate.

Republicans won back the US Senate for the first time in four years overnight, giving them a crucial power centre in Washington and a lead role in confirming the next cabinet, as well as the makeup of the Supreme Court if there is a vacancy.

Elsewhere, he added that God had "saved his life for a reason" referencing an assasination attempt on his life during a rally in Pennsylvania in July.

Trump has been projected to win in Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina, three key swing states. Experts previously said that the winner of Pennsylvania had a 90% chance of winning the entire election.

Fox News projected a victory for Trump, to jubilant cheers in Trump's headquarters in Florida. Other news networks, including NBC News, followed shortly after.

'It's in the bag'

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban called victory for Trump earlier in the morning. "Good morning Hungary, on the road to a beautiful victory. It’s in the bag."

Senior members of Trump's campaign and notable Republicans followed suit, claiming Trump had won the presidency even before he was projected to win in Pennsylvania.

"America has spoken. Congratulations to the 47th President," former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy said.

Harris currently has 214 electoral college votes to Trump's 267. Numerous states have not yet been called, but it is unclear how Harris would secure a victory following Trump's gains.

Supporters watch returns at a campaign election night watch party for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the Palm Beach Convention Center.
Supporters watch returns at a campaign election night watch party for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the Palm Beach Convention Center. Evan Vucci/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

Over the course of the night, the mood at Harris' watch party became increasingly deflated. Her campaign announced she would not be speaking tonight, as supporters were pictured leaving her watch party at Howard University.

Prominent Democrats have yet to comment on Trump's projected victory.

Elsewhere in his speech, Trump thanked his family and wife and gave a special shoutout to Elon Musk in a tangent referencing rockets and the hurricane in North Carolina.

He said anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr was going to "make America healthy again" but insisted his ally should "leave the oil to me".

Trump ended his speech by insisting on America's greatness, emphasising that during his tenure, there were no wars.

"This is a massive victory for democracy and freedom," he concluded.

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