Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election, according to media reports on Wednesday, defeating Kamala Harris in a striking comeback that is expected to reverberate globally.
The Republican candidate’s win comes after an exceptionally contentious campaign, marked by his recent criminal conviction, a narrowly averted assassination attempt, and a former chief of staff branding him a “fascist.”
Celebrating his victory at an event in Florida, Trump said, “This is a political achievement unlike any other in our nation’s history.”
Harris, who joined the race in July after President Joe Biden withdrew, ran on a moderate platform, often criticizing Trump’s divisive rhetoric and accusations of using racist and sexist language.
Trump’s hardline stance on immigration and push for isolationist policies resonated with voters facing economic challenges in the wake of COVID-19, who were ready for change after the Biden administration.
The election, anticipated to be close, saw results come in more quickly than expected, as Trump secured a decisive win, carrying key battlegrounds such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
With this victory, Trump becomes the first president in over a century to serve two non-consecutive terms.
He also makes history as the only elected U.S. president with a felony conviction; he is scheduled for sentencing on fraud charges in New York on November 26.
At age 78, Trump is set to become the oldest president in office, surpassing Biden, who will leave office at 82 in January.