PALM BEACH, USA—Former President Donald Trump has declared victory in the ongoing US presidential election, celebrating at a victory party in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
Trump expressing gratitude to his supporters for what he termed the “extraordinary honour” of being elected both the 47th and 45th president.
He has been projected to win crucial battleground states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, positioning him within striking distance of an electoral college victory.
“I think we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America,” stated Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, as he praised the former president.
In response, Trump remarked on Vance’s selection, saying he turned out to be a good choice, despite initial scepticism.
Harris Maintains Silence Amidst Election Night Tensions
Vice President Kamala Harris refrained from addressing her supporters in Washington, D.C., following Trump’s victories in Georgia and North Carolina.
Cedric Richmond, a co-chair of Harris’s campaign, informed the crowd at Howard University that the vice president would speak later, emphasising the ongoing count of votes and uncalled states.
The atmosphere at Harris’s headquarters shifted dramatically from celebratory to anxious as vote totals began to indicate a narrower path to victory.
“Have you ever been to a funeral? That would be a Mardi Gras compared to this,” remarked a veteran Democratic strategist, highlighting the palpable tension among campaign aides and supporters.
As the night wore on, the mood among Harris’s team shifted further when chants of “Music! Music!” broke out, leading to a DJ playing rap music to alleviate the growing sense of despondency.
Shifts in Voter Demographics Highlight Electoral Challenges
An NBC News exit poll revealed that voter identification with the Democratic Party had dropped to its lowest point this century, with only 32% identifying as Democrats, compared to 37% in the previous election.
In contrast, the proportion of voters identifying as independent or “something else” surged to 34%.
Significant demographic shifts were also noted, particularly among Latino voters.
Latino men favoured Trump by a 10-point margin, a stark reversal from their support for Biden four years prior.
Conversely, Harris maintained a 25-point lead among Latino women, a decline from Biden’s prior advantage.
Despite Trump’s losses among suburban white women, who supported him by 51%, Harris gained ground with older voters, capturing 50% of those aged 65 and above, reversing Trump’s previous advantage.
Divergent Views on Key Issues Reflect Election Day Divides
On Election Day, voters expressed differing priorities based on their candidate preferences. Democracy was the primary concern for Harris supporters, while Trump voters prioritised the economy.
The exit poll found that 35% of voters rated democracy as their top issue, with 31% citing the economy and 14% abortion.
Harris promised to restore abortion rights in response to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, while Trump advocated for state-level decisions regarding abortion, favouring bans with exceptions for rape, incest, and maternal health risks.
The changing political landscape is underscored by an increasing number of voters who now believe abortion should be legal in most cases, rising from 51% in 2020 to 66% this year.
Candidates Remain Confident Despite Voter Discontent
Despite expressing confidence in their campaigns, a significant 72% of voters reported feelings of anger or dissatisfaction with the current state of the country, with only 26% expressing satisfaction or enthusiasm.
Demographic shifts continue to emerge in the electorate, with Trump’s approval rating declining among white voters but increasing among Black and Latino voters.
The former president’s approval among Latino voters rose to 42% this year, while among Black voters, it reached 14%.
As Election Day progressed, both candidates maintained optimism about their chances, with Harris asserting that momentum was on her side, while Trump confidently anticipated a significant victory.
