Donald Trump will win and return to the White House, according to projections.
The Associated Press (AP) has projected the Republican former president will win 277 Electoral College votes, surpassing the 270 needed to become president.
It follows Trump declaring his own victory while speaking to a crowd of jubilant supporters at a campaign event in Florida early on Wednesday morning local time (6:30pm AEDT), saying it was “time to unite” as a country.
Trump is now projected to win the swing states Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, making it impossible for the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to catch up — even though voting is still underway.
‘The greatest political movement’
Flanked by his running mate JD Vance, his wife Melania and family at his election night party, Trump said he believed “this was the greatest political movement of all time”.
“There has never been anything like this in our country,” he said.
Trump said he wanted to “thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president”.
At the time of his speech, the AP was yet to project a winner. Harris is yet to concede.
Trump is the second US president to be re-elected for two non-consecutive terms. The first was Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century.
‘It’s time to unite’
Trump told the audience that it was “time to unite” as a country.
“It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us,” Trump said.
“It is time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It is time to unite and we are going to try, we have to try and it is going to happen.
“Success will bring us together, I’ve seen that … Because together we can truly make America great again for all Americans.”
In May, Trump, who served as president from 2016 – 2020, became .
A New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
International reactions to Trump’s victory
Numerous world leaders had already congratulated Trump on his victory before the AP projected he would secure enough Electoral College votes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote that “Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies”.
“Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he “appreciate[d] President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs”.
“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congrulated Trump on “history’s greatest comeback!”
“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! In true friendship,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he “look[ed] forward to working with [Trump] 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.”
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: “Congratulations, President Donald Trump.
“Ready to work together just as we knew how to do during four years. With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
