Palm Beach, FL — Former President Donald Trump declared victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential race after Fox News projected he had defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, securing his return to the White House. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Trump called it “an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” celebrating what would be a remarkable political comeback.
While Fox News declared Trump the winner, other major outlets held off, with votes still being counted in key battlegrounds. Trump led in states critical to his win, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, while holding narrow leads in several others.
Harris, who did not speak to supporters gathered at her alma mater Howard University, was represented by her campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond, who addressed the crowd with a reminder that “we still have votes to count.”
Trump’s campaign demonstrated increased support across the nation, particularly among Hispanic voters and low-income households, groups feeling the impact of recent economic strains. Exit polls showed that Trump won 45% of Hispanic votes, a significant rise from 2020.
Economic concerns were central for many voters, with 31% listing it as the top issue; among these, Trump won by a strong margin. Market indicators, including U.S. stock futures and the dollar, climbed as investors increasingly anticipated his victory.
Trump’s supporters turned out in higher numbers than four years ago, gaining ground in areas traditionally favoring Democrats. Harris, who relied heavily on support from urban and suburban voters, saw lower numbers compared to Biden’s 2020 performance.
The highly polarized race was marked by fierce rhetoric from both sides, with Trump asserting—without evidence—claims of election fraud in major cities like Philadelphia and Detroit. City officials rejected these allegations as baseless.
Both candidates’ campaigns witnessed historic milestones. Trump, 78, would become the first president to serve non-consecutive terms in over a century, while Harris, 60, could have made history as the first female and woman of color to hold the office.
This election caps a year of unpredictable twists, with both parties seeing unprecedented events and challenges.