…World Leaders Pledge To Work With him
….Harris Calls Trump To Congratulate Him On Election Win
…To speak to supporters Today, Harris campaign
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, media said Wednesday, defeating Kamala Harris in a stunning political comeback that will send shock waves across the world.
The polarizing Republican’s victory, following one of the most hostile campaigns in modern US history, was all the more remarkable given an unprecedented criminal conviction, a near-miss assassination attempt, and warnings from a former chief of staff that he is a “fascist.”
“It’s a political victory that our country has never seen before,” Trump told a victory party in Florida.
Vice President Harris, who only entered the race in July after President Joe Biden dropped out, ran a centrist campaign that highlighted Trump’s inflammatory messaging and use of openly racist and sexist tropes.
But his apocalyptic warnings about immigration and championing of isolationism found their mark with voters battered by the post-Covid economy and eager for a change from the Biden years.
The campaign pointed to a nail-bitingly close contest, but the results came surprisingly fast, delivering a crushing victory that included wins in the swing states of Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Trump is the first president in more than a century to win a non-consecutive second term.
He is also the only person to be elected as a convicted felon — he will face sentencing in a New York court for fraud on November 26.
Already 78, Trump is on course to break another record as the oldest-ever sitting president during his four-year term. He will surpass Biden who is set to step down in January at the age of 82.
Impact on foreign policy
The US dollar surged and bitcoin hit a record high while most equity markets advanced, with traders betting on a victory for Trump as the results rolled in.
But turmoil likely lies ahead.
Trump’s victory comes with his promise of radical policy shifts — not just at home but also abroad, where his unrestrained isolationist and nationalist “America First” stance is likely to have enormous consequences.
He has repeatedly suggested he would end the conflict in Ukraine by pressuring Kyiv to make territorial concessions to Russia, and his threat of mass deportations of illegal immigrants has stirred deep concern in Latin America.
He also returns to the White House as a climate change denier, poised to dismantle his predecessor Biden’s green policies and jeopardize global efforts to curb human-caused warming.
Even before Trump’s stunning victory was fully confirmed, foreign leaders rushed to send congratulations.
These included longtime Trump allies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Also messaging Trump was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is predicted to see a rapid reduction in US military aid once Biden leaves office. Zelenksy said he hoped the “impressive victory” would help his country find a “just peace.”
NATO’s chief, Mark Rutte, said Trump, who has frequently expressed displeasure with the US-led alliance, would make it “strong.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the stream of well-wishers, while French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to join Trump in working “with respect and ambition.”
Showman’s instinct
For all his dark promises of political revenge against enemies at home and his criticisms of longstanding allies overseas, Trump remains famously unpredictable when it comes to matching words with actions.
His campaign rallies, filled with grievance, insults and misinformation, featured extreme rhetoric.
But he won positive coverage with viral online moments that played on his everyman appeal and his showman’s instinct — like his appearance at a McDonald’s drive-thru and impromptu news conference from a garbage truck.
He campaigned on tax cuts, less regulation and the most significant increase in import tariffs in nearly a century to promote growth and boost manufacturing, despite warnings of trade wars and higher prices for US consumers.
Trump’s more mainstream messaging often became overshadowed by his tendency to lurch into foul language and violent imagery. But that hard-charging style played well with his unfailingly loyal base, which sees him as a Washington outsider.
He also gained traction with his hard-line anti-immigration message and outreach to working-class voters hit by Covid-triggered inflation.
When Harris joined the race in July, replacing Biden, she soon managed to close the yawning gap Trump had opened over the president in opinion polls.
Her message of unity, focus on abortion rights and warnings of the threat Trump posed to democracy appeared to resonate, evidenced by a huge surge in fundraising that swelled her campaign war chest way beyond her rival’s.
Ultimately, however, she fell short of what would have been a historic win as the first Black woman elected to the White House.
US Election: World Leaders Pledge To Work With Trump
World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump as he claimed a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris, while financial markets also rose.
Here are the first reactions, with the presidential election result still to be confirmed:
– China: ‘mutual respect’ –
Without directly mentioning Trump, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing that China hopes for “peaceful coexistence” with the United States.
“We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” she said.
“We respect the choice of the American people.”
– Russia: will judge ‘concrete steps’
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he was unaware of any plans by Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump since the US is an “unfriendly country”.
“We will draw conclusions based on concrete steps and concrete words,” Peskov said.
– Israel: ‘powerful recommitment’ –
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump’s likely win signalled a new beginning in US-Israel relations.
“Congratulations on 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. This is a huge victory!” said Netanyahu in a statement issued by his office.
– Ukraine: hopes ‘just peace’ closer –
President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Donald Trump on his “impressive victory” and said he hoped his presidency would bring a “just peace in Ukraine closer.”
“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,” Zelensky said in a statement on social media.
– NATO: ‘peace through strength’ –
NATO chief Mark Rutte congratulated Trump and said his return to power would help keep the alliance “strong”.
“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 in a statement.
Nigeria to strengthen US-Nigeria relations
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, said President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the relations between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
President Tinubu says, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.
– EU: ‘strong transatlantic agenda’ –
“I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump,” European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “The EU and the US are more than just allies. We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. So let’s work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them.”
– France: ‘respect and ambition’ –
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated “President Donald Trump”, saying he was ready to work with him “with respect and ambition” like “we managed to do for four years”.
In a post on X, Macron said that the relationship with Trump, who is leading the US presidential vote, would “take account of your convictions, and mine”, adding: “For more peace and prosperity.”
– Germany: will remain ‘reliable ally’ –
Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump and vowed Berlin would work with him for “prosperity and freedom”.
“Germany and the USA have long been working together successfully to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the benefit of our citizens.”
– Qatar: ‘security and stability’ –
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose Gulf monarchy is a key mediator in the Gaza conflict and hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East, said he looked forward to “working together again in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally”.
– Turkey: ‘my friend’ Trump –
Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated “my friend Donald Trump” and wrote on X that “I hope Turkey-US relations will strengthen, that regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, will come to an end.”
– Egypt: ‘reaching peace’ –
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated Trump and said he hoped his return to the White House could help bring peace to the Middle East.
“I wish him all the success… and I look forward to reaching peace together, upholding regional stability and strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and their friendly peoples,” Sisi said on X.
– India: ‘heartiest congratulations’ –
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Trump’s “election victory”.
“Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory,” Modi wrote on social media platform X. “As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration.”
– South Korea: alliance to shine brighter’ –
President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Donald Trump and posted on X that “under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter. Look forward to working closely with you.”
– Italy: ‘sincere congratulations’ –
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her “sincere congratulations” in a post on X.
“Italy and the United States are ‘sister’ nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance,” she said. “It is a strategic bond which I am sure we will now strengthen even more.”
Harris Calls Trump To Congratulate Him On Election Win
She is expected to address the public when she delivers remarks at Howard University later today.
US Vice President Kamala Harris called Donald Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him for winning the 2024 presidential election, one of her senior aides said, following a bitter and contentious race.
Democrat Harris discussed with Trump the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being president for all Americans, said the aide speaking on background, confirming that Harris will deliver remarks in Washington later Wednesday.
We won’t speak to supporters until tomorrow, says Harris campaign
The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has said that the vice president won’t address supporters on election night, as the path to the White House narrowed for her.
“We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet,’’ Harris campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond said in the early hours of Wednesday.
“We will continue overnight to fight to make sure that every vote is counted.
“That every voice has spoken. So you won’t hear from the vice president tonight. But you will hear from her tomorrow,’’ he added.
As the last day of voting got underway on Tuesday, Harris had said she would have dinner with family at her Washington residence before joining an election watch party at nearby Howard University – the historically black college she attended.
