Donald Trump has clinched the US presidency, surpassing the critical 270 Electoral College votes with a total of 279, compared to 223 for his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump also leads in the popular vote, with over 71 million votes to Harris’s 66 million.
In a notable achievement for the Republican Party, Trump becomes the first GOP candidate since 2004 to win the popular vote, signaling a robust performance in a race that saw Republicans regain control of the Senate and retain the House.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” Trump told cheering supporters in Florida.
Key victories in swing states like North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin played a decisive role in his win.
With Trump ahead in remaining battlegrounds Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona, the race has underscored his solid support nationwide.
While Harris has yet to concede, world leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, have extended congratulations.
Tinubu expressed hope for a strengthened partnership, emphasizing Trump’s experience as a former president and his potential to boost US-Africa relations.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were among other leaders who voiced optimism over Trump’s return, each highlighting opportunities for renewed cooperation.
Zelensky noted Trump’s “peace through strength” approach, hinting at hope for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
