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US election day, as it happened: Trump wins presidential elections, Harris concedes

This has been one of the tightest and most volatile elections in US history and the outcome will have momentous consequences

Published: Wed 6 Nov 2024, 6:24 AM

Updated: Wed 6 Nov 2024, 11:51 PM

By
Agencies, Web Desk

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters

The votes were all in on Wednesday. Millions of Americans formed long lines to cast their ballots while thousands of US expats from around the world, including the UAE, made their voices heard through mailed and online votes.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump notched up early wins on Election Night, November 5, as the first key polls closed in one of the tightest and most volatile elections in US history.

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On the historic day, the big reveal took place as US media declared Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. President, beating Democrat Kamala Harris to complete a stunning political comeback.

The outcome kept everyone on the edge of their seats and Khaleej Times brought all the live election updates, analysis and world leaders' reactions. Here's how it all unfolded.

11.04pm: Harris calls Trump to concede election

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris called Donald Trump on Wednesday to congratulate the Republican leader on his US presidential election win, two aides to Harris said.

Harris, who is scheduled to make public remarks later on Wednesday, also "discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans," a senior Harris aide said.

7.32pm: Harris to call Trump to concede election, NBC News reports

US Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to call Donald Trump to concede defeat in the presidential election, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing two Harris aides.

President Joe Biden also plans to call Trump and will speak publicly about the election results, NBC News reported, citing a White House official.

7.15pm: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulates Trump

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulates Trump on his victory in the US elections.

Khan, who led Pakistan to the cricket World Cup title in 1992, said Trump will be good for Pakistan-US relations.

6.54pm: Dow surges 3.2% after Trump wins US presidency

Wall Street stocks surged in opening trading on Wednesday after US voters sent Donald Trump back to the White House and delivered him a Republican Senate.

Major indices were up 1.8 percent or more in the early going as hopes about expected tax cuts and regulatory easing more than offset worries about higher tariffs.

6.45pm: Kremlin says will judge Trump by his 'actions' on Ukraine

The Kremlin has said it will judge Donald Trump, who has vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine conflict, on his "actions" in office, as many in the West fear his second term could spell disaster for Kyiv.

Many in Russia cautiously welcomed Trump's win, with people telling AFP on the streets of Moscow they hoped he would deliver on promises to end almost three years of fighting.

Trump has repeatedly said he would end the conflict, launched by the Kremlin in February 2022, "in 24 hours", without giving details on how.

He has also lambasted the billions of dollars in US aid for Ukraine that are critical for its defence, and several times blamed Kyiv for the conflict.

The Kremlin said it would wait to see what Trump would be like when he takes office in January, expressing some caution with relations between Moscow and Washington at an all-time low since the Cold War.

"We will draw conclusions based on concrete steps and concrete words," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

6.35pm: Iranians fear Trump comeback will bring them more pain

When Donald Trump was last in the White House, he pursued a policy of "maximum pressure" against the Islamic republic of Iran, including punishing sanctions.

Now that he is set to begin another term as US president in January, anxiety is mounting in Tehran that more of the same will follow.

During Trump's first term, the United States also killed a revered Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general in an air strike on Baghdad airport in Iraq.

Such history between the two long-time adversaries casts a dark shadow over the prospect of relations improving.

"It will be harmful for Iran," said 37-year-old Bashir Abbaspour, who works at a private company, reflecting widespread concern in Iran as news broke on Wednesday of Trump's victory.

6.25pm: UAE Vice-President congratulates Trump

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, took to social media to congratulate Trump on his win.

"We look forward to strengthening and advancing UAE-US relations in ways that serve the interests of both nations," he said.

6.07pm: 'Save us': Gazans want Trump to end war with Israel

Palestinians in Gaza want Donald Trump, who won the US election, to end the war between Israel and Hamas that has devastated their territory.

The war has taken an appalling human toll in the Gaza Strip, displacing most of its residents, causing widespread hunger and death, and leaving hospitals struggling to cope.

"We were displaced, killed... there's nothing left for us, we want peace," Mamdouh al-Jadba, who was displaced to Gaza City from Jabalia, told AFP.

"I hope Trump finds a solution, we need someone strong like Trump to end the war and save us, enough, God, this is enough," said the 60-year-old.

5.53pm: Mexico's Sheinbaum holding off from congratulating Trump

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that she will wait to formally recognise a winner in the U.S. presidential election until vote tallies are finalised, after preliminary vote results overnight gave Donald Trump a victory.

5.30pm: Afghanistan Taliban govt hopes for 'new chapter' with Trump win

Afghanistan's Taliban government on Wednesday said it hoped for a "new chapter" in relations with the United States after Donald Trump's presidential election victory.

The government hopes the future Trump administration "will take realistic steps toward concrete progress in relations between the two countries and both nations will be able to open a new chapter of relations", foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a post on X.

He underscored that during former president Trump's first term in power he presided over a peace deal with the Taliban that paved the way for the US withdrawal in 2021 "after which the 20 year occupation ended".

5pm: A look at US elections from around the world

Leading up the historic win, people across the world sat at the edge of their seats in anticipation.

A barber watches news of the US presidential elections on a TV screen in his shop in Ramallah city in the occupied West Bank.

Photo: AFP

A man reads newspaper headlines about the U.S. elections at a newsstand in Athens, Greece.

Photo: Reuters

People gather at the venue of the US Election party hosted by Democrats Abroad Kenya, in Nairobi.

Photo: AFP

A TV screen showing preliminary results about the US elections hangs in a restaurant in Hong Kong.

Photo: AFP

Donald Trump appears on a congratulatory billboard, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Photo: Reuters

A giant screen displays footage of Donald Trump during a news bulletin in Beijing, China.

Photo: Reuters

4.30pm: Trump's climate denial poised to fuel warming

Donald Trump's election victory puts a climate change denier back in the White House, poised to dismantle his predecessor's green policies and jeopardize global efforts to curb human-caused warming.

The Republican revived his "drill, baby, drill" slogan during his campaign and in his victory speech described US oil and gas reserves as "liquid gold".

Experts warn that a second Trump presidency would slam the brakes on the transition to green energy, hindering efforts to meet crucial climate targets. The impact will likely be felt even before his January inauguration.

4.15pm: Israeli government celebrates Trump's election triumph

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters celebrated Donald Trump's election as president, hailing what a leader of the Israeli settler movement called an ally who would support them "unconditionally".

Congratulating Republican Trump, Netanyahu said the former president had made "history's greatest comeback".

"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," he said in a statement, which was echoed by the leaders of the hard-right nationalist religious parties in his coalition.

3.55pm: Russia says it has no illusions about Trump

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow had no illusions about Donald Trump after he was elected U.S. president and would work with the new U.S. administration to robustly defend Russian national interests.

The ministry said in a statement that Moscow would remain focused on achieving the goals of what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine and that its stance on the conflict remained unchanged

3.40pm: 'Going to be rough': NATO braces for Trump's return

US allies at NATO scrambled Wednesday to put a brave face on the return of Donald Trump to the White House amid fears the unpredictable Republican could upend European security and pull the plug on Ukraine support.

NATO chief Mark Rutte — chosen recently in part due to his good relations with Trump — was quick to congratulate the victor and played up the positive impact he could make.

"His leadership will again be key to keeping our alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO," Rutte said.

Senior diplomats at NATO, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues, sought to put a positive spin on his return for a second term, saying it could push Europe to get serious about protecting itself.

"Why be scared by Trump now? It is going to be rough, but at least he will pump some energy into the whole thing," one diplomat said.

3.21pm: Dollar soars, stocks rally as Trump wins

The dollar surged, stocks rallied and bitcoin struck a record high Wednesday as the world gears up for a Donald Trump presidency that analysts say could rekindle inflation.

Europe's main equity indices jumped in morning deals, while Asia diverged, with Chinese stocks hit by expectations that Trump would impose tariffs on Chinese imports.

3.13pm: Hamas issues statement after election victory

Hamas will judge Donald Trump's new US administration on its actions and policy towards Palestinians, the movement said on Wednesday following his election win.

"Our position on the new US administration depends on its positions and practical behaviour towards our Palestinian people, their legitimate rights and their just cause," the group said in a statement.

3.09pm: Dubai Ruler congratulates the new President

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, took to social media to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory.

The leader emphasised on working together to achieve 'peace and stability' in the region.

2.50pm: Wisconsin sealed the victory

Trump secured his White House win as the swing state of Wisconsin turned red, based on projections by the media.

Though results from three other battleground states (Nevada, Michigan and Arizona) are yet to be called, Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes pushed Trump's estimated vote count past the 270 mark.

2.41pm: Trump, 279; Harris, 223

2.36pm: Trump elected president, says media

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, US media announced on Wednesday, beating Democrat Kamala Harris to complete a stunning political comeback.

Trump, 78, recaptured the White House by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, media outlets and Edison Research projected, following a campaign of dark rhetoric that deepened the polarization in the country.

The former president's victory in the swing state of Wisconsin pushed him over the threshold.

2.16pm: UAE President congratulates Trump

President Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE looks forward to "building upon over five decades" of relations with the US.

2pm: What happens to Trump's criminal cases

Photo: Reuters file

Trump's claimed presidential election victory will essentially end the criminal cases brought against him, at least for the four years he occupies the White House.

The first former US president to face criminal charges, Trump for much of this year faced four simultaneous prosecutions, over allegations ranging from his attempt to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign to his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

A New York jury in May found him guilty of falsifying business records tied to the Daniels payment, making him the first former US president convicted of a felony.

Trump said on October 24 that he would fire US Special Counsel Jack Smith — who led the federal prosecutions over his attempts to overturn his election defeat and retention of classified documents after leaving office — "within two seconds" of being sworn in.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges and cast the prosecutions as politically motivated.

While Trump as president will have the authority to fire Smith and shut down the federal cases against him, he will not have the same control over the New York hush money case or Georgia's prosecution of him for trying to overturn his 2020 loss in that state.

But his unique role as president makes it unlikely he will face legal consequences in either case during his term in office.

One more court date is scheduled before he is due to be sworn in on January 20, though legal experts said that was unlikely to go forward.

1.45pm: What to expect when Trump returns to White House

Photo: File

With the former US president now just a few electoral votes away from winning the elections (based on media projections), analysts give a preview of what America and the world can expect from Trump 2.0:

More tariffs: Trump has floated the idea of a 10 per cent or more tariff on all goods imported into the US, a move he says would eliminate the trade deficit.
Mass deportations: He has vowed to reinstate his first-term policies targeting illegal border crossings and to forge ahead with sweeping new restrictions. He has also pledged to limit access to asylum at the US-Mexico border and to embark on the 'biggest deportation effort in American history'.
Increase in fossil fuels: He has said he would increase the US production of fossil fuels by easing the permitting process for drilling on federal land and would encourage new natural gas pipelines.
No federal abortion ban: He has said this federal ban is unnecessary and that the issue should be resolved at the state level. He has argued that a six-week ban favoured by some Republicans is overly harsh and that any legislation should include exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother.
A push to end wars: Trump has been critical of US support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, and has said he could end the war in 24 hours if elected — although he has not said how he would achieve this. He also said that if he becomes president, he will "stop the suffering and destruction in Lebanon".

Read more here.

1.30pm: 'Trump trades' surge; Tesla shares soar

The dollar surged and US stock futures hit record highs as investors bet on lower taxes and higher interest rates with Trump claiming victory in the US presidential election.

S&P 500 e-mini futures rose two per cent
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note rose to a four-month high of 4.47 per cent
The US dollar index was up 1.4 per cent
Bitcoin hit a record high of $75,060

Shares in Tesla also soared in pre-market trading. Tesla shares were up 13 per cent at $283.97 in after-hours deals, hours before Wall Street opens and after Trump praised Musk during a triumphant speech at his campaign headquarters in Florida.

1.16pm: Wisconsin tally now at 96%

Swing state Wisconsin is nearing 100 per cent of its estimate vote count. Out of 96 per cent:

Trump has 50.9 per cent.
Harris has 47.5 per cent.

This is based on the early vote count of Edison Research.

1pm: Trump maintains Michigan lead

In the battleground state of Michigan, with 86.4 per cent of votes counted:

Trump has 51.5 per cent.
Harris has 46.8 per cent.

This is based on the early vote count of Edison Research.

12.45pm: A different kind of hug

Some venues where Democrats had gathered were now empty — except for a few who were seen consoling each other as the Republicans claimed victory in the elections.

Photo: AFP

Some Harris supporters were spotted crying.

Photo: AFP

12.35pm: Euphoria!

Trump supporters hugged, jumped, and danced at election watch parties as projections show that their Republican bet could be returning to the White House.

Photos: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

12.20pm: Congratulations pour in

World leaders were quick to send congratulations to Trump as the Republican candidate nears victory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first to write a note for Trump, calling his projected win "history's greatest comeback" and a new beginning in the US-Israel alliance.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared photos of him and his 'friend' Trump as he expressed his 'heartiest congratulations'.

"I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership," he wrote.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also said: "I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he looks forward to working with Trump in the years ahead. "As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "ready to work together just as we knew how to do during four years".

12.11pm: Trump, 266; Harris, 219

12.08pm: Michigan tilts towards Trump

Swing state Michigan is projected to go with Trump. With 80 per cent of estimated vote tallied:

Trump has 52.5 per cent.
Harris has 45.7 per cent.

This is based on data from US-based Edison Research, which carries out exit polls on behalf of a major media companies.

12.04pm: More votes for Harris

Votes are still coming in for the Democrats' Harris. She is projected to win:

New Jersey (14 electoral votes)
Minnesota (10 electoral votes)

11.50am: What Trump says

Here are some statements he made as he claimed victory while addressing his supporters at Palm Beach County Convention Centre in Florida:

"We're gonna have to seal up those borders."
"This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again."
"We're going to be paying down debt. We're going to be reducing taxes."
"We are going to help our country heal."

Photo: Reuters

11.45am: Trump, 266; Harris, 194

11.35am: 'We've made history'

Trump claimed victory in the 2024 presidential contest after Fox News projected that he had defeated Harris, which would cap a stunning political comeback four years after he left the White House.

"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," Trump said at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre where he was greeted with cheers.

Other news outlets had yet to call the race for Trump, but he appeared on the verge of winning after capturing the battleground states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and holding leads in the other four, according to Edison Research.

"We've made history for a reason tonight, and the reason is going to be just that we overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible," Trump told cheering supporters. "It's a political victory that our country has never seen before."

11.25am: A party for Republicans!

Donald Trump was greeted by supporters at his election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Centre in Florida.

Photo: Reuters

11.17am: Trump is leading in all other swing states

Media outlets have already called Trump's victory in three swing states, including key battleground Pennsylvania (which has 19 electoral votes). So far, Trump has secured 265 electoral votes out of the 270 needed to win, based on media projections.

Real-time tallies also show he is leading in all other swing states. Here are the numbers from Edison Research:

Wisconsin: Trump with 51.2 per cent; Harris, 47.2 per cent (with 93 per cent of votes counted)
Nevada: Trump with 51.4 per cent; Harris, 47 per cent (with 93 per cent of votes counted)
Michigan: Trump with 52.4 per cent; Harris, 45.8 per cent (with 76 per cent of votes counted)
Arizona: Trump with 50.3 per cent; Harris, 48.8 per cent (with 54 per cent of votes counted)

11.16am: Why Pennsylvania matters

Pennsylvania is considered critical to winning the White House, and voting has been extremely close in recent elections. Redistricting since the 2020 election reduced the state’s number of electoral college votes from 20 to 19. The outcome of the voting this year, however, may take days to be known.

11.13am: Trump, 265; Harris, 194

11.07am: Trump wins key state Pennsylvania, say US networks

Republican former president Donald Trump is closing in on a second term in the White House after winning the biggest battleground prize of Pennsylvania, US networks projected early Wednesday.

Pennsylvania has a whopping 19 electoral votes, putting him close to securing victory against Democrat Kamala Harris, CNN and NBC News reported.

10.55am: Fox News makes solo call of Trump victory

After projecting Trump's win in key battleground state Pennsylvania, Fox News made the call that the Republican was 'elected president'.

No other media outlet or organisation has declared the victory.

10.50am: Trump, 246; Harris, 194

10.45am: Trump victory projected in Pennsylvania

Fox News projected that Republican Donald Trump has won the battleground state of Pennsylvania, which would all but close off Democrat Kamala Harris' chances of winning the US presidency.

Other networks and data providers, however, had yet to make a call in the state.

10.30am: Votes all the way from space!

Did you know that astronauts can vote — even from space?

Since 1997, US astronauts have been able to cast their votes as they orbit the Earth under a law in Texas, where Nasa's space centre is located.

They submit their ballots just like any other American citizens outside the US would.

Their votes are transmitted through the same channel used to send data from the ISS to Earth.

10.20am: 'I'm worried but I got hope'

At Howard University, where a large watch party was being held for Harris, supporters were leaving in droves, anticipating the vice-president would not address the crowd late on Tuesday night.

"Obviously we're not going to get much tonight. It's very close, so we're just headed home," said Korey Stroud, 21, a student at a local community college. "Not going to stress here, we're going to stress at home."

Joshuana Hayden, 20, a fellow student, said she would be back on Wednesday.

"I was here to see Kamala," she said. "I'm a little bit worried but I got hope.

Photo: Reuters

10.10am: Trump could get another swing state

In Nevada, another battleground, 70.1 per cent of estimate votes have been tallied — and here are the projections:

Trump has 50.9 per cent.
Harris has 47.5 per cent.

This is based on the early vote count of Edison Research.

Recap: Trump has so far won two swing states — Georgia and North Carolina, and he is currently leading in Pennsylvania, too.

10am: Republicans win the Senate

The Republican Party has wrested control of the US Senate from the Democrats, with at least 51 seats in the 100-member upper house of Congress, US networks projected early Wednesday.