Fox News has projected that Donald Trump will return to the White House, defeating Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in a historic and divisive 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Other major news outlets have yet to call the result.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, supporters gathered in a convention center erupted in chants of “USA! USA!” as Fox declared the Republican the winner. Trump’s campaign trail strategy appeared to have paid off, flipping key swing states like North Carolina and Georgia, and securing leads in other battlegrounds according to Edison Research.
For many, this marks a remarkable turnaround for the 78-year-old former president, who faced two impeachments and was criminally convicted after leaving office. But early polls suggested a tight race, with exit polls revealing that voters concerned about the economy overwhelmingly backed Trump. Some 31% of voters cited the economy as their top concern, favoring Trump by a margin of 79% to 20%.
The Decision Desk points to a 280 electoral votes for Trump, higher than 270 threshold for the top job.
A Tight Race in Key Swing States
Trump’s performance improved across many areas, from suburban districts to urban centers, marking a shift from 2020. In Pennsylvania, a key battleground, Trump held a 3.4 percentage point lead with nearly all votes counted, pushing him closer to the 270 electoral votes required to secure the presidency.
Observers noted that while Harris had hoped for strong support in urban areas, her backing fell short of what President Joe Biden had achieved four years earlier. She still led among Hispanic voters, but Trump’s appeal rose sharply in this demographic, securing 45% of the Hispanic vote nationwide, a significant improvement from his 2020 campaign.
At the moment, Trump look to win 270 electoral votes to win the Presidency. Trump is leading in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, Harris' path is even narrower.
Divided Nation, Different Concerns
The exit polls also revealed a divided American public, with nearly 75% of voters expressing fears that American democracy is under threat. Throughout the campaign, Trump used strong rhetoric to question the integrity of the election system, repeating unproven claims of “massive cheating” in Democratic strongholds like Philadelphia and Detroit.
Harris, meanwhile, warned that a second Trump term would endanger American democratic values, emphasizing the need to strengthen institutions.
A Surge in Trump’s Popularity
As results poured in, Trump’s popularity appeared to grow in unexpected areas. Even in suburban and high-income counties, typically Democratic-leaning, he made inroads, picking up votes in areas that were previously seen as Biden strongholds. Exit polls revealed that voters feeling the impact of inflation and economic pressures were particularly supportive of Trump.
Global Markets React
Financial markets began responding to the projected Trump win. U.S. stock futures, the dollar, and Bitcoin all rose, with analysts citing these as indicators of investor confidence in Trump’s pro-business stance.
A Night of Mixed Emotions for Harris Supporters
At Howard University in Washington, where a large watch party was held for Harris, crowds began to disperse after campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond announced the vice president would not be addressing supporters that evening.
Korey Stroud, 21, a student attendee, summed up the mood: “Obviously we’re not going to get much tonight. It’s very close, so we’re just headed home.”
Republicans Secure Senate Control
In another significant outcome, Republicans regained control of the Senate, flipping seats in West Virginia and Ohio. The shift strengthens the party’s ability to push through Trump’s agenda and judicial appointments if his victory is confirmed.
