The 2024 U.S. presidential election concluded early on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6, with results indicating that Donald Trump had exceeded the necessary 270 electoral votes, securing his return to the White House. This victory marks a comeback for the Republican candidate, who defeated Democratic opponent Kamala Harris to reclaim the presidency.
Trump’s campaign managed to flip several key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia—states he lost to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. These states played a critical role in securing his path to an Electoral College majority.
It was his win in Wisconsin that ultimately sealed his victory. At 4:34 a.m. Central Standard Time, the Associated Press officially called the race for Trump, with the state’s 10 Electoral College votes pushing him past the 270 needed.
A shift in voter demographics also appeared to boost Trump’s numbers. While young voters, Hispanic voters and Americans without college degrees have historically leaned Democratic, Trump made notable inroads with these groups, which contributed to his victory margin.
The current results of the election show Trump with 295 electoral votes to Harris’s 226. Trump holds the majority vote as well with 72,761,235 total votes compared to Harris’s 68,108,474 total votes.
While the presidency has already been determined, races in Arizona and Nevada could determine how large the winning margin is. Trump is currently winning in both states with 52.3% of Arizona and 51% of Nevada in his favor.
Trump’s win is historic for numerous reasons, not only due to the controversial nature of this year’s election. He is also the oldest president to be elected at 78 years old, it is only the second time someone has won two non-consecutive terms, he will be the first U.S. president with a felony conviction and he has been impeached twice.
In a victory speech delivered from his home state of Florida, Trump celebrated the outcome, declaring, “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again.” He vowed to prioritize issues like border security, promising his administration would address pressing national concerns and usher in what he described as a “golden age” for the country.
Meanwhile, Harris addressed her supporters at Howard University in Washington, D.C, where she formally conceded but urged Americans to stay engaged in the issues that defined her campaign. “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she told supporters, calling on them to continue advocating for their values.
In a phone call shortly after, Harris congratulated Trump and assured him of a peaceful and respectful transition of power. Biden also called Trump to congratulate him and to invite the president-elect to the White House, formally kicking off the transition ahead of Inauguration Day.
