Bruno Kaufman, a global democracy correspondent, reports from Atlanta, while Vincent McAvinney shares insights from Wisconsin on election night chaos. Charles Hecker analyzes the foreign policy implications of Trump's declared victory, alongside Mitch McCann and Georgina Godwin, who provide updates from Michigan and Alabama, respectively. Sasha Eisenberg discusses changing voter sentiments shaped by economic concerns. The emotional split among voters reflects deeper implications for U.S. politics, showcasing unexpected Democratic gains and evolving party dynamics.
Trump's strong performance in key battleground states signals a potential Republican resurgence, especially among traditional Democratic strongholds.
The Democratic Party's struggle to connect with Latino and working-class voters highlights an urgent need for strategic reassessment post-election.
Record early voter turnout in Georgia demonstrated shifting voter dynamics, contributing significantly to Trump's electoral success in the state.
Deep dives
The Election Landscape 2024
As the U.S. election results unfold, Donald Trump has shown a strong lead in key battleground states, particularly in the traditional blue wall states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. His early successes include flipping states like Georgia and North Carolina back to the Republicans. The atmosphere around these counts suggests increasing difficulty for the Harris campaign, which is facing a significant uphill battle to retain crucial swing states amidst an emerging electoral map favoring Trump. Updates from correspondents across various states continue to convey a narrative of Republican resurgence in areas once considered Democratic strongholds.
Reactions from the Ground
In Pennsylvania, Democratic supporters are feeling increasingly somber as the night progresses, with watch parties witnessing a dwindling crowd amidst unfavorable voting counts. Many voters express a sentiment of déjà vu and shock, reflecting on the stark contrast compared to previous elections. The shift in mood emphasizes the impact of new voting methods like mail-in and early ballots that have complicated traditional vote counting. Local Democratic leaders attempt to rally support and maintain hope by insisting that every vote must be counted before any conclusions are made.
Georgia's Voter Turnout Trends
Georgia has seen record early voter turnout, which heavily favored Republicans, contributing to Trump's strong performance in the state. Polling stations reported a significant number of early ballots cast, creating a scenario where Trump was able to surpass his previous election numbers. Despite initial concerns about security from bomb threats associated with polling stations, the election proceeded without major incidents, leading to a sense of relief among local officials. Analysts suggest that the shift in voter dynamics, including a realignment of Latino voters towards Republicans, may have significantly influenced Trump's success in reclaiming Georgia.
Wisconsin's Political Shift
Wisconsin, once a solidly Democratic state, is showing signs of favoring Trump, with early results indicating a more substantial lead than in past elections. The demographic breakdown suggests that Trump's appeal lies particularly with white working-class voters, a group that Harris has struggled to connect with throughout her campaign. Conversations with voters reveal that economic concerns and living costs have driven many individuals to support Trump, despite reservations about his character. The electoral climate hints at a deeper realignment within Wisconsin that could influence future elections.
The Democrats' Future in Disarray
With Trump appearing to secure a significant victory, the Democratic Party faces an urgent need to reassess its strategies and coalition in light of this defeat. The results indicate a concerning trend in losing ground with critical voter demographics, including Latino and working-class voters, suggesting an electoral realignment. Harris's ties to Biden and inability to establish a distinct campaign identity may have compounded the challenges faced by the party. A thorough post-election analysis is anticipated as Democrats grapple with the implications of the results and attempt to chart a path forward for future elections.
A special programme out of Washington as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump declares victory over his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris. Our team on the ground brings you the latest results and analysis as votes trickle in – we’re in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Alabama, California, Michigan and in the nation’s capital. Plus: the team in London on how Europe has reacted to the result.