US

Kamala Harris calls Donald Trump to concede defeat in US election

Kamala Harris calls Donald Trump to concede defeat in US election

Kamala Harris has called Donald Trump to concede defeat in the US presidential election.

A senior adviser to the vice president said she talked about “the importance of a peaceful transfer of power” and “being a president for all Americans”.

Ms Harris is due to deliver a concession speech at 4pm local (9pm UK time).

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Donald Trump wins election

Mr Trump won a decisive victory – comfortably clearing the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.

He said he had won “an unprecedented and powerful mandate”.

Declaring victory earlier in Palm Beach, Florida, Mr Trump told his supporters: “We’re going to help our country heal.

“We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything about our country and we’ve made history for a reason tonight.”

He also doubled down on his promise to crack down on illegal immigration and promised a “golden age of America”.

He added: “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to ‘make America great again’.”

The president-elect briefly paused his speech as the crowd chanted “USA, USA, USA!”.

Donald Trump. Pic: Eric Trump
Image:
Donald Trump reads over his speech ahead of addressing the crowd in Florida. Pic: Eric Trump

Mr Trump’s Republican Party also took control of the Senate from the Democrats.

He continued: “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate. We have taken back control of the Senate. Wow.

“Wow. That’s great.”

Read more:
Trump’s main pledges for second term
Trump’s victory in maps and charts
Shootings, gaffes and McDonald’s: US election in pictures

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Trump declares victory

Harris to oversee ceremonial certification of election

Ms Harris ran as the Democratic candidate for the White House after President Joe Biden left the race amid concerns about his advanced age following his debate with Mr Trump in June.

As the vice president, she is expected to oversee the US Congress’ ceremonial certification of the election.

It is unclear what role she will play in the future of the Democratic Party.

Zelenskyy and Netanyahu congratulate Trump

World leaders began to congratulate Mr Trump even before his victory had been confirmed.

His return to the White House will likely have a profound impact on global politics.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead… I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he looked forward to an “era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership”.

He added: “I appreciate 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 congratulated Mr Trump on “history’s greatest comeback!”, while senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said he will be tested on his claims he can stop the war in Gaza within hours.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen “warmly” congratulated Mr Trump, while NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte said he was looking forward to working with him to “advance peace through strength”.