"We made history," declared Donald Trump on Wednesday as he won the presidential election and pulled off an incredible comeback against all odds. "This will truly be the golden age of America. That's why this is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again," he said at his West Palm Beach campaign headquarters.
Fox News Decision Desk, that analyzes incoming count data had projected Trump as the winner, but other news outlets were waiting to call him the winner formally, their data having him on the cusp of winning. Trump claimed he was taking at least 315 electoral college votes, winning four swing states and leading in three others. He also claimed he would win the popular vote.
Trump declared that the Senate had flipped back to Republican control, and the party headed toward retaining the House of Representatives.
Media reports allocated 51 seats in the 100-member Senate, and seven results were still pending.
A beaming Trump, flanked by his family and running mate JD Vance and his wife, took the stage to chants of "USA, USA" from his supporters. Meanwhile, authorities shut down by 1:30 a.m. the venue for Vice President Kamala Harris's victory celebration at Howard University in Washington. Her campaign announced she had gone home and would speak later in the morning. "America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," Trump said.
After a strenuous campaign, Trump continued, "We're going to help our country heal." He made no mention of Harris, President Joe Biden, or any other Democrat, his usual verbal attacks possibly put aside as he makes an olive branch.
"It is your time. It is our time," Trump said to his supporters. "I will fight for you, for your family, and your future.". Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. Listing his victories, Trump said, "We also have won the popular vote. That was great. Winning the popular vote was very nice, very nice.". I will tell you a great feeling of love." He added, "We have taken back control of the Senate," and stated, "It also looks like we'll be keeping control of the House of Representatives." Trump emphasized his commitment to national issues, saying, "We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We're going to fix our borders.". We are going to fix everything about our country. Speaking of illegal immigration, the one big election issue, Trump promised mass deportations of illegal migrants once he assumed office. We're going to have to seal up those borders, he said, adding, We want people to come back again… we have to let them come back in, but they have to come in legally.
Trump also praised his vice presidential running mate, JD Vance, and Vance's wife and his family. "He has turned out to be a good choice. I took some heat at the beginning but he was, I knew the brain was a good one, about as good as it gets," he added. "And we love the family… We're going to have a great four years," Trump said. Their victory was dubbed "The greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America" by Vance. Adding, "We're going to lead the greatest economic comeback in American history under Donald Trump's leadership."
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