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.
“INAPROPRIATE”, Victoria Beckham’s Daughter Slip Dress Causes a Stir Online
Victoria and David Beckham‘s daughter caused a stir by wearing a slip dress to her mom’s 50th birthday party. Social media went wild, slamming the choice as inappropriate for her age.
Victoria Beckham recently celebrated her 50th birthday with a big feast. Her husband, David Beckham, and their kids – Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper – joined in for the celebration, making it a memorable affair.
Harper’s outfit at Victoria’s birthday party stole the show and got everyone talking about fashion and dressing your age. Some thought she looked cute, while others thought she looked too grown-up. But hey, the mixed opinions added some extra buzz to the party.
One user expressed concern, saying, “It’s a shame Harper wasn’t wearing something more age-appropriate, including shoes. She’s growing fast and will soon be taller than her mother.”
Another wrote: “She is 12 years old… maybe something more suitable for her age to wear!” Yet another participant in the debate criticized the dress choices, particularly Harper’s, remarking, “Seriously bad dress choices. Harper’s outfit is odd for a 12-year-old; she’s having to bunch it up to avoid it being too revealing in the pictures…”
s dressed appropriately. It’s a formal occasion, and even her shoes are age-appropriate,” countered one fan. Others rallied behind Harper, stating, “Does it really matter what she’s wearing? She’s with her mum and dad. These comments are very petty.”
Harper’s been criticized for her outfit choice before; this isn’t the first time.
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