Topics: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Politics, US News, Joe Biden
Donald Trump has won the 2024 election to become the next president of the US, beating Democrat rival Kamala Harris to the leadership.
Trump, 78, was previously in power between 2017 and 2021, but lost to Joe Biden in 2020.
His defeat sparked deadly riots at the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. in January 2021.
Trump has now become the second man in history to serve two non-consecutive terms as US president.
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He is also the first convicted felon to serve in the presidential role.
While the votes were still being counted, it became clear that he would claim the victory after winning in several swing states, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
Addressing a campaign party at West Palm Beach, Florida, he told the crowd: "Look what happened - is this crazy?"
He added: "I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president.
"I will fight for you and your family and your future, every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body."
Thanking his wife and family, he said Republicans have ‘taken back control of the Senate’.
He also added: “It was amazing to look at all of those victories.
“Nobody expected that. Nobody. Thank you very much for that and you have some great senators and great new senators and it also looks like we’ll be keeping control of the House of Representatives.”
His parting message to the crowd was a promise not to let them down, telling his followers that it was ‘time to unite’ and put the ‘divisions of the past four years’ behind them.
“Success is going to bring us together and we are going to start by all putting America first,” Trump said.
“We have to fix it because together we can truly make America great again for all Americans.
“So I want to just tell you what a great honour this is. I want to thank you. I will not let you down.
“America’s future will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer and stronger than it has ever been before.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Trump on his ‘historic’ win earlier this morning, ahead of the official confirmation.
“Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory,” he said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
