“America has given us a powerful mandate…”: Donald Trump Claims Victory in 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

Donald Trump has officially declared victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, after Fox News projected him as the winner, citing key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Fox News was the first major outlet to make the call, and this projection points to a political comeback for Trump, who left the White House four years ago.

“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” said Donald Trump in a victory speech at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. While other news outlets had yet to call the election, Trump's path to victory seemed clear as he claimed decisive wins in pivotal states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. He also led in several other important states, according to data from Edison Research.

Harris Holds Back, Supporters Await Results

Vice President Kamala Harris did not speak publicly to her supporters gathered at Howard University, her alma mater, as the results continued to come in. Instead, campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond spoke to the crowd, offering a message of optimism. "We still have votes to count," Richmond said, hinting that Harris might address the supporters the following day.

Trump’s Broad Appeal Across the Country

Trump’s strong performance in the 2024 election was felt nationwide, as he improved on his 2020 results, particularly in both rural areas and urban centers. His campaign gained traction among traditionally Democratic voter groups, including Hispanic Americans and lower-income families, many of whom have been struggling with inflation and rising living costs. Exit polls showed that Trump captured 45% of the Hispanic vote nationally, marking a 13-point improvement from 2020. While Harris still led among Hispanic voters, Trump's gains were notable.

Republicans Secure Senate Majority

In addition to his presidential win, Trump’s party saw significant victories down the ballot. Republicans were able to flip key Democratic-held Senate seats in West Virginia and Ohio, securing a majority in the U.S. Senate. However, the outcome of the race for control of the House of Representatives remained too close to call, with Republicans holding a narrow lead.

International Reactions and Future U.S.-India Relations

Reaction to Trump’s projected victory came from across the globe. Entrepreneur Elon Musk congratulated Trump and said, “The people of America gave @realDonaldTrump a crystal clear mandate for change tonight.”

In India, officials weighed in on the election’s potential impact on bilateral relations. Former Ambassador Veena Sikri expressed confidence that, regardless of who won, India would continue to engage with the U.S. in the best interest of both nations. "The strong bilateral relationship between the U.S. and India over the past decade will continue," Sikri noted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive and stable partnership.

A Remarkable Comeback after Capitol Riot

Trump's political comeback is especially remarkable given the chaos surrounding him after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Many had believed his political career would be finished after the violent insurrection by his supporters, which sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election. However, his performance in 2024 demonstrates his enduring influence and ability to rally support among key voter groups.​