KUALA LUMPUR – Republican candidate Donald Trump has claimed victory in the 2024 US presidential election over Democrat Kamala Harris.
Trump, 78, declared victory after broadcaster Fox News projected that he had defeated Harris, and the news was picked up by international media outlets.
Apart from Fox News, other major news outlets have yet to call the election in his favour, Bernama reported.
As of 4.45pm (Malaysia time) Wednesday, most international media reported that Trump had won at least 267 of 538 votes in the Electoral College ahead of Harris who is trailing far behind with 224 votes.
Fox News has projected that Trump will win 277 electoral votes in the presidential election held on Nov 5.
At least 270 Electoral College votes are needed to clinch the presidency.
Fox News reported Trump had won in key battleground states of North Carolina, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
In his first speech addressing his supporters in Palm Beach, Florida, while results were still trickling in, Trump said: “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president.”
Harris seems poised to lose her bid to become America’s first woman president, after Trump was projected to secure multiple key battleground states.
Although Harris has not yet conceded, projections from CBS indicate that Trump is nearing a historic victory, the BBC reported.
Harris canceled her planned election night appearance at Howard University, her alma mater in Washington, D.C., as early results started to show Trump gaining momentum.
Trump was first elected president in 2016, defeating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In 2020, he was defeated by Joe Biden, who had served as vice president under President Barack Obama.
This win would make Trump only the second US president to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland, who served two terms in the late 1800s.
On social media, several world leaders took the opportunity to congratulate Trump on the victory.
French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X: “Ready to work together as we were able to do during four years. With your convictions and mine. In respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” wrote Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X. “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.” – November 6, 2024