Donald Trump appears on the brink of securing a second term as US President after capturing three critical battleground states within hours of polls closing. Trump took North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania by 2.30am ET, energising supporters gathered in Palm Beach with promises of a “golden age” and pledges to “help our country heal.”
Kamala Harris, who held her campaign event at Howard University in Washington DC, was dealt significant blows after losing North Carolina and Georgia, both essential for her to reach 270 Electoral College votes. Her team announced then that Harris would only address supporters on the morrow, as the campaign processes the results.
Speaking from the stage in Palm Beach, Trump hailed his support base as “the greatest political movement of all time” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve again. “We made history for a reason tonight,” he said, underscoring his intention to secure America’s future and address long-standing issues. “We’re going to fix everything about our country,” Trump promised, accompanied by vice-presidential nominee JD Vance.
Meanwhile, the national debate over abortion rights saw contrasting results in ballot measures across the states. Nevada voters passed a measure to embed abortion rights into their constitution, albeit pending final approval in 2026. South Dakota, however, rejected a similar proposal to restore the protections gained in 1973 in Roe v Wade, with 61% voting against it, a reflection of regional divides on the subject since the 2022 Supreme Court ruling overturning the earlier decision.
With ongoing counts in key states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada, the final results remain uncertain. While Trump and his supporters celebrate, the Harris campaign holds onto hope for late turnarounds in these states, where their strongholds have traditionally offered a lifeline.
As the dust settles, several US states are also engaged in state-level elections, setting up local governments and shaping legislative agendas on pivotal issues such as healthcare, education and public safety.
