Trump celebrates a strong night with supporters as Harris cancels her speech — the race is on!

In his election night address in Palm Beach, Florida, Donald Trump vowed to fight tirelessly for the American people, promising to “not rest until delivering a strong, safe, and prosperous America.” Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the nation’s future, declaring, “Every single day, I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body,” earning a thunderous response from his supporters.

As early results came in, Trump appeared to gain momentum, particularly in key battleground states, positioning himself closer to a potential victory. He secured Florida—long a Republican stronghold—and earned early wins in states like Texas, South Carolina, and Indiana. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris clinched victories in Democratic strongholds like New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

The race remained tight, with some analysts suggesting Harris, 60, may have a slight edge over Trump, 78, in critical swing states like Pennsylvania. Throughout her campaign, Harris emphasised issues such as supporting the middle class, providing tax cuts for millions of Americans, making housing more affordable, and defending women’s rights, especially in terms of abortion access.

Trump also made bold pledges, including promises to boost the economy, reduce energy costs, impose higher tariffs on foreign goods—particularly from China—and initiate a large-scale deportation plan for undocumented immigrants. Both candidates, addressing key voter concerns about inflation, healthcare, and job security, presented starkly different visions for America’s future.

In the final days of the campaign, Harris framed the election as a fight for basic freedoms and women’s rights, while Trump remained firm in his stance, hinting that he might challenge the election results if he lost. Voting began in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, and continued with increasing security measures nationwide to prevent potential unrest.

Key highlights of the election:

- Deadlocked race: Early polls showed a very close contest between Trump and Harris.

- Voting issues: Voters faced long lines in some states, software glitches in Pennsylvania, and bomb threats in Georgia, though these were later deemed not credible.

- Divided communities: Arab, Muslim, and progressive Americans grappled with choosing between two candidates seen as unsupportive of Palestinian rights.

- Global watch: International communities, from Gaza to Iran, watched the U.S. election with a mix of trepidation, hope, and scepticism.

The U.S. electoral system’s 538 electoral votes make swing states crucial. If both candidates win their traditional states, Harris would need 44 additional electoral votes to win, while Trump would need 51. Key battlegrounds in the Rust Belt—such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin—will likely decide the outcome.

If Harris prevails, she will make history as the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent to become President of the United States.