NYC, Nov 06 (V7N)- Former President Donald Trump declared victory and committed to "healing" the nation on Wednesday as results indicated he was close to defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in a remarkable bid for the White House. Trump’s speech, filled with jubilation, was delivered despite only Fox News having called the race in his favor, with other networks holding off on any declarations.
Amid cheers and chants of "USA" from his supporters, Trump appeared on stage in Florida, joined by his wife Melania and his children. "We are going to help our country heal," he stated, calling it an "unprecedented political victory" for the nation.
The networks have projected Trump as the winner in the key battlegrounds of Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina. Trump also holds a lead over Harris in other states where results are still being counted.
The atmosphere in Harris's camp turned somber. Cedric Richmond, co-chair of Harris's campaign, informed supporters in Washington that they would hear from Harris the next day.
Adding to the Democrats' setbacks, Trump's Republican Party also took control of the Senate, flipping two seats to overturn the Democrats’ slim majority.
Trump's potential return to the White House has raised concerns internationally, with allies in Europe and Asia wary of a revival of his nationalist policies and affinity for autocratic leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Despite this, the US dollar surged, bitcoin reached an all-time high, and stock markets responded positively as traders reacted to Trump’s likely victory.
Shift in Mood as Results Unfold
Leading up to the election, polls forecasted a tight race between Harris and Trump, who, at 78, would be the oldest president at inauguration. Trump also faces sentencing later this month for a criminal case involving hush money payments, with lingering disputes over his 2020 loss to Joe Biden still present.
Trump’s path to victory emerged surprisingly fast. The mood at Harris's watch party at her alma mater, Howard University, quickly soured as results poured in. "I am scared," expressed attendee Charlyn Anderson, who left the venue due to overwhelming anxiety.
Meanwhile, celebrations erupted at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. Tech mogul Elon Musk, an open Trump supporter who could lead a government efficiency commission, shared a photo of himself with Trump, captioning it, "Game, set, and match."
Millions of Americans voted in this pivotal election, deciding whether to grant Trump a historic return or to elect Harris as the first female US president.
Global Tensions and Bomb Threats
The election has captivated global audiences, including in conflict regions like Ukraine and the Middle East. Notably, the FBI linked several bomb threats against polling stations in Georgia and Pennsylvania to Russian sources. While the threats were hoaxes, they succeeded in briefly disrupting voting.
High Stakes and Dark Rhetoric
At 60, Harris was poised to become only the second Black and the first South Asian president. She had entered the race dramatically after Biden’s withdrawal in July. Trump, twice impeached and a recent target of assassination attempts, emphasized an unprecedented deportation plan for undocumented immigrants, reinforcing his campaign’s severe tone.
The election’s outcome is awaited globally, with Trump signaling potential cuts to US aid to Ukraine, while Harris had championed democracy and opposed Trump-backed abortion restrictions.
END/MSS/SMA
Comment: