Donald Trump has vowed to “unlock America’s glorious destiny” after claiming victory in the US election.
Mr Trump declared he had won a “magnificent victory for the American people” after a night of high drama that left him on the brink of becoming the 47th President of the United States.
He told his supporters that “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate” in a victory speech in Florida.
Overnight, he stormed the crucial swing states, with projected wins in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and projected leads in the other four still to be called.
Addressing a campaign party in the last hour, Mr Trump pledged to “fight” for “every citizen” and promised the “golden age of America”.
He added: “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again.”
Taoiseach congratulates Trump Simon Harris, Irish Taoiseach, has congratulated Trump on his win. He tweeted: “Congratulations to US President-elect @realDonaldTrump on your victory. “The people of the United States have spoken and Ireland will work to deepen and strengthen the historic and unbreakable bonds between our people and our nations in the years ahead.”
17 minutes ago
Jessica Rice
Alliance raise concerns over Ukraine
Alliance Councillor Michael Long has raised concerns over Ukraine following Trump’s win.
He tweeted: “Thinking of people in the democracy of Ukraine this morning.
“For those who voted for him in the US, I doubt their concerns on economy & immigration will be addressed. He don’t care.
“If Trump delivers promised tariffs, those here who are so happy today may regret it.”
28 minutes ago
Stephanie Finnegan
Reaction from Trump’s billionaire financial backer Elon Musk
Businessman and investor Elon Musk, known for his key roles in the space company SpaceX and the automotive company Tesla, Inc, has been posting all night on X, of which he is the majority shareholder.
He was in attendance at the Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump gave his speech.
The UUP’s Robbie Butler has hit out at any criticism of Republican voters in the US. He tweeted: “I have friends in America who supported Trump and I’ve friends in America who supported Harris. To read the ridiculous comments from politicos and politicians here in NI dumb down the American electorate is worse than wrong. Given the state of politics and mostly non-politics in this country since 1998 and who people vote for here, we really shouldn’t cast stones. The US like here is complicated.”
However, SDLP Belfast councillor Séamas de Faoite responded by saying: “He’s a terrible human being and we shouldn’t sugarcoat it.”
38 minutes ago
Gareth Hanna
SDLP MLA concerned about ‘destabilising’ impact
Matthew O’Toole, the leader of the opposition at Stormont, has said: “It looks like a clear margin. There will be lots of people waking up who are appalled and depressed by this news. Not to be too blunt about it but, there’s a diplomatic response and there’s an honest response. The honest response is that a lot of people are going to be very concerned about what this means, frankly for the whole world.
“One of the things I hope comes from this is a greater European partnership and a great sense of European co-operation. If he does the things he said he’s going to do, it will be destabilising for the entire world. I acknowledge that it looks like he has won this election. It asks very difficult questions for people in other parts of the world. I think of people in Gaza or Ukraine, who will be very concerned about what this means for American leadership in the world.”
Today07:56 AM
Adrian Rutherford
No mention of Harris
In an at-times rambling speech, littered with soundbites, Trump made no reference to Kamala Harris, who he branded ‘a lunatic’ on eve of election
Today07:52 AM
Adrian Rutherford
‘America first’, vows Trump
“It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us, we have to unite … we have to put our country first again and make America great again for all of us.”
Today07:50 AM
Adrian Rutherford
Trump: ‘America’s glorious destiny can be unlocked’
Trump: “This is a massive victory for democracy and for freedom, together we’re going to unlock America’s glorious destiny, we’re going to achieve the most incredible future for our people”
Today07:47 AM
Adrian Rutherford
Trump: ‘American people have regained control’
Trump tells supporters: “You showed up in record numbers to deliver a victory like no other … this was something special and we’re going to pay you back … this will forever be remembered as the day that the American people regained control of their country”
Today07:45 AM
Adrian Rutherford
Special guest
US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau has made a fleeting appearance on stage at Trump’s victory rally
Today07:37 AM
Adrian Rutherford
Vance: ‘Greatest political comeback’
JD Vance, the vice-president elect, hails ‘incredible journey’ and says he has witnessed the ‘greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America’. He then pledges the ‘greatest economic comeback in American history under Donald Trump’s leadership’
Today07:31 AM
Adrian Rutherford
‘An unprecedented mandate’
Trump: America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.
Trump: This will truly be the golden age of America … this is a magnificent victory for the American people that will let us make America great again
Today07:28 AM
Adrian Rutherford
Trump: Time to heal
Donald Trump is addressing supporters in Florida. He tells them: “We are going to help our country heal”
Today07:05 AM
Adrian Rutherford
CNN and NBC call Pennsylvania
CNN and NBC are now projecting that Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania – the most pivotal state in the election race, putting him on the brink of victory.
Today06:50 AM
Adrian Rutherford
Fox News says Trump has won US election
Fox News is now projecting that Donald Trump will become the 47th President of the United States. It is the first major network to project the result.
Voters have elected two black women to serve simultaneously in the US Senate for the first time and sent an openly transgender politician to Congress.
Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester and Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks prevailed in their races, doubling the number of black women ever elected to the Senate – from two to four.
And Delaware voters elected Sarah McBride in a House of Representatives race, making her the first openly transgender person elevated to Congress.
