The Republican candidate has won at least 277 Electoral College votes, per The Associated Press.
Donald Trump has been elected to return to the White House as the 47th United States president.
The vote was called for the Republican candidate by The Associated Press news agency early on Wednesday. His victory has been met by international congratulations but is likely to add further uncertainty to a turbulent geopolitical situation.
Results showed Trump beating Vice President Kamala Harris in a race far less tight than expected as he triumphed in key battleground states.
Victory in Wisconsin after earlier triumphs in Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania saw the former president clear the threshold of the 270 Electoral College votes required to clinch the White House in Tuesday’s election.
Trump’s victory in those swing states currently sees him with 277 electoral votes against 224 for Harris. Polls had predicted a much tighter race, but it appears that anger fuelled the Republican’s remarkable comeback from defeat in 2020 and widespread condemnation of his refusal to accept the result.
That refusal sparked a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, and Trump was also convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.
However, his campaign, which has seen him demonise his political opponents, immigrants and many minorities, tapped into the frustrations of many voters in a bitterly polarised nation.
Speaking to his supporters as he declared victory, Trump claimed he had won “an unprecedented and powerful mandate”.
Anger and resentment
Scott Lucas, a professor of international politics at the University of Dublin, told Al Jazeera that Trump’s victory stemmed from frustrations that have been bubbling within the US public for years.
“There is anger and resentment in the US, which has been there for quite some time. It’s been a trauma since 9/11. It’s been there with the financial crash in 2008-2009. It was there in 2016 when Trump exploited it, and he exploited it again,” Lucas said, adding that Trump was able to do that because the “political system is damaged”.
Concern over the economy, and inflation in particular, under President Joe Biden was a major focus of the campaign.
That also encouraged opposition to the support Washington is giving to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Meanwhile, the failure to rein in Israel’s wars on Gaza and Lebanon has angered Muslim and liberal voters.
Those complex geopolitical issues will test Trump, who is known for his simplistic claims of being capable of quickly solving such issues.
He has promised to end the war in Ukraine in a day, an idea that has Kyiv wary that it could face pressure to strike a deal to hand over territory to Russia. NATO allies, meanwhile, fear Trump will weaken the alliance’s mutual defence guarantees.
Trump is also a strong supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has boasted he will end the war with Hamas in Gaza in hours.
“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!” Netanyahu said in a statement after Trump declared victory.
The enthusiasm in Israel also stems from the incoming president’s hawkish approach to Iran, which he is likely to reassert.
China is also braced for a more confrontational relationship with the US under Trump, who is expected to revive staunchly nationalistic trade policies, putting both allies and rivals on edge.
‘Much more dangerous era’
However, at home, supporters will look to Trump to put the focus on the welfare of US citizens while following through on promises to enact an agenda that would transform nearly every aspect of American government.
That will include plans to launch the largest deportation effort in the nation’s history and use the Department of Justice to punish his enemies.
The result is that “we are going into a much more dangerous era for Americans and for the world because this will not be a coherent US policy for America but one pursued for Trump,” Lucas said.
Love Conquers All: A Miraculous Journey of Hope and Recovery
You never really know what it could mean to swear to love your mate through good times and bad. The experience of 22-year-old Matt Davis and his spouse Danielle has been nothing short of remarkable. These two have overcome all difficulties and demonstrated to us what true love and commitment are all about in a world where divorce rates are through the roof.
Love at first sight marked the start of it all. After only eight weeks of dating, Matt and Danielle made the decision to be married. They were so in love that they were eager to begin constructing a future together. They had no idea that fate had something else in mind for them.
Matt’s coma came barely seven months after they were married, bringing tragedy. He suffered a catastrophic brain injury, multiple shattered bones, and internal damage as a result of a horrifying motorcycle accident. The doctors told Danielle to let go and remove Matt’s life support since they didn’t think there was much hope. Yet Danielle was not going to give up.
“I couldn’t bear to let go, and we didn’t even get to start our life together,” Danielle remarked. She brought Matt home and took care of him nonstop, a difficult decision she made but determined to fight for her spouse.
As the months passed, hope appeared to wane. Then something miraculous occurred. Matt came to after a grueling three months in a coma. He had to relearn every fundamental skill, including walking and talking, on his difficult and demanding journey to recovery.
With the constant love and support of Danielle, Matt overcame every challenge. Even though he suffers from memory loss and finds it difficult to remember their wedding or their past, he is happy that he married Danielle. He would not be here today without her.
Matt is currently headed toward a full recovery. He is able to speak, walk, and even ride a bike. It is quite amazing how resilient and determined he has been in his battle for survival. Their moving story demonstrates that all is possible when pure love is present.
Tales like Matt and Danielle’s serve as a reminder that there is always a ray of hope, even amid the most dismal and black circumstances. It is evidence of the strength of the human spirit and the efficacy of love. We encourage you to read the article below if you found this touching tale to be enjoyable.
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