WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a dramatic address to supporters early Wednesday (06 Nov 2024) morning, former President Donald Trump declared victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential race after securing 277 Electoral College votes, according to projections by Fox News.

With at least 270 Electoral College votes required to win the presidency, Trump’s projected total placed him well over the threshold needed for a victory.

However, despite Trump’s confident declaration, as of his speech, no other major U.S. news outlets had officially called the election in his favor, and some networks continued to monitor ongoing vote counts in key battleground states.

The Trump campaign, in its statement, expressed confidence that the results would hold, but a final, formal declaration from other media outlets was still pending.

Supporters gathered at Trump’s election night headquarters cheered as the former president made his remarks, emphasizing his campaign’s success and what he described as a “tremendous” turnout among voters.

Trump’s speech, marked by his characteristic defiance, also reflected on what he called a victory against what he framed as the “establishment” and “fake news.”

As vote counting continued into the morning, the race remained tight in several critical swing states, where final tallies were expected to be slow due to high mail-in ballot volumes.

The Trump campaign’s projections, however, suggested that their candidate was poised to secure the necessary states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

While Trump celebrated, President Joe Biden, who was seeking re-election for a second term, had not yet made a public statement, and the Biden campaign remained cautious as they monitored the results closely.

As the election remains in its final stages of counting, both sides are bracing for the official tally to unfold, with significant focus on the impact of absentee and early voting ballots.

ia/mnm

WASHINGTON — US Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris took a commanding position Tuesday (10 Sept 2024) night in the presidential debate, often forcing former President Donald Trump to defend his record and statements throughout their intense exchange.

During the heated one-hour and forty-five-minute debate, Harris portrayed herself as a stark contrast to Trump: composed and unflappable. She countered Trump’s attacks and presented herself as a thoughtful leader on crucial issues like immigration, abortion, and the economy.

Harris aimed to unsettle Trump by questioning his international reputation and business prowess. “World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” she declared during the debate held in Pennsylvania. She also contrasted her middle-class upbringing with Trump’s wealth, which she described as inherited and mismanaged.

Trump rejected Harris’s claims, arguing that his wealth was self-made and disputing the idea that he had been handed USD400 million. He responded to Harris’s attacks by labeling her and President Joe Biden as “Marxists” and criticizing their handling of inflation and immigration.

Harris dismissed Trump’s allegations as “tired playbook” tactics, emphasizing her commitment to uniting Americans rather than dividing them. She challenged Trump’s claims about the 2020 election and accused him of not accepting the result.

After the debate, the Harris campaign issued a challenge for a second debate, with chair Jen O’Malley Dillon asserting, “Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”

On abortion, Trump defended his role in overturning Roe v. Wade but was evasive about his stance on a potential national ban, citing legislative challenges. Harris criticized Trump’s policies, emphasizing the impact on women and families.

In foreign policy, Trump accused Harris of being anti-Israel and warned of dire consequences for Israel if she were elected. Harris countered by defending her support for Israel and attacking Trump’s foreign policy record, particularly his perceived admiration for dictators.

Trump’s debate performance included controversial and unverified claims about migrants in Ohio, which Harris criticized as extreme and false, emphasizing her bipartisan support.

The debate showcased a clear contrast between Harris’s focus on unity and Trump’s combative rhetoric.

(ia/mnm/Sourced Online)