As Donald Trump walked on stage in Florida to declare himself president, Kamala Harris’s aides pivoted from hoping for her win to how best to deal with a Trump presidency.
An aide told our US partner network NBC News: “While Trump’s policies will have tremendous domestic and international ramifications, I’ll try to remind myself and others of a larger picture around values that I hold – and share with a broader group of people.”
They said the “hardest part” will be to “embody love” to the half of America’s voters who feel drawn to Trump.
“That will be the hardest part: to practise love toward someone who is drawn to such hateful rhetoric and tribal tendencies,” the aide said.
Harris has not conceded but is expected to speak later today.
Elon Musk, who spent election night with Donald Trump in Florida, has shared a flurry of posts online.
In one to his social media platform X, he said: “You are the media now.”
In another, he said that Mr Trump had a “crystal clear” mandate from the American people.
Here was a post just before Mr Trump came out to declare victory in front of his supporters in Florida – a speech in which he said “a star is born, Elon”…
Zelenskyy congratulates Trump on ‘impressive victory’
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has congratulated Donald Trump on an “impressive” election “victory”.
Mr Zelenskyy said he appreciated Trump’s “commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach” to global affairs and that the principle could “bring just peace in Ukraine closer”.
“I am hopeful that we will put it into action together. We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership,” he said.
Mr Trump is expected to chart a new course on major conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He has previously claimed that he would end Russia’s war in Ukraine should he return to the White House.
Our US partner network NBC News has not yet projected a winner in the race – though Trump is all but nailed on with only four electoral votes to reach 270.
Starmer: ‘As closest of allies, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder’
We’ve had some reaction from Sir Keir Starmer now, who has congratulated Donald Trump on his looming election victory.
“Congratulations president-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead,” he said.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
‘Hallelujah!’ Cheers and tears at Trump watch party
Flags in the air, chanting USA, Donald Trump’s supporters in Bucks County are overwhelmed with joy.
Some cry as the 78-year-old’s victory speech plays on the big screen.
“Hallelujah,” a woman shouts.
“Trump that bitch,” says a man in the crowd.
Many people have cleared out of this watch party now, but the ones that remain are cheering loud and proud.
They’re pleased to hear from JD Vance as well, chanting his name, some of them while pumping their fists in the air.
It’s clear that this is a group that believes their efforts to elect Mr Trump have paid off.
But he hasn’t 100% won yet – he still needs four electoral college votes.
Trump on course to take most of Nebraska’s Electoral College votes
Nebraska is one of only two states that splits its Electoral College votes based on the preferences of its different districts.
Our US partner network NBC News projects that Kamala Harris is on track to win Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district – worth one vote.
Donald Trump looks set to sweep the other four.
Trump 2.0: On the precipice of power beyond his wildest imagination
They call it “Agenda 47”, an eyebrow-raising blueprint for the 47th presidency.
It could be entitled “Back to the Future”.
Donald Trump’s base yearn for “the golden era”, an America they believe has been lost.
He’s on a mission to find it for them.
The New York tycoon stands on the precipice of power beyond his wildest imagination.
Young men, black men, Latino men have bought into Trump 2.0.
The pollsters predicted a tight race. In the end, he’s probably won by something resembling a landslide – Republicans flipping the Senate.
If they retain the House of Representatives too, it will be an unchecked power – Trump holding the keys to the White House and Congress.
Thousands of words could be written about Project 2025, the conservative Heritage Foundation’s plan for the radical reform of federal government.
But the pledge to “Make America Great Again” again goes deeper and it is a campaign that has recruited the most unlikely of poster boys.
Elon Musk, the billionaire tech mogul and world’s richest man, is on board and could soon take charge of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Robert F Kennedy Jr, who’s estranged from the rest of his political dynasty, suspended his own run for the White House to back Trump.
RFK is renowned for questioning the safety of drinking water and vaccines.
The likely president-elect has not ruled out giving him responsibility for health.
In election campaign speeches, Trump has laid out his plans to invest in flying cars and build “freedom cities” – free from government regulations.
On immigration, he promised the biggest mass deportation of illegal migrants in US history, to finish building the wall and enforce strict border control.
Donald Trump has vowed to relocate rough sleepers from city centres to tented camps until their “problems can be identified”.
But it’s the culture war-mongering that will cause most alarm – no constitutional right to abortion; teachers required to “embrace patriotic values”.
Trump has an isolationist policy and seeks to detangle America from global conflicts, not least in Ukraine and the Middle East.
He has pledged to cut “hundreds of billions” of dollars in international aid, end the war in Ukraine, and potentially withdraw America from NATO.
He had already made history – the first president to become a convicted felon. Only one other has won two non-consecutive terms.
The unconventional, unfiltered 45th president of the United States will be the 47th president and the rest of the world holds its breath.
Macron congratulates Trump
French leader Emmanuel Macron has congratulated Donald Trump on his apparent victory.
“Congratulations President Donald Trump,” he said in French on X.
“Ready to work together as we have done for four years.
“With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition.
“For more peace and prosperity.”
Harris projected to win Minnesota and New Jersey
Our US partner NBC News projects victories for Kamala Harris in Minnesota and New Jersey.
Both were considered safe Democrat seats ahead of the election.
New Jersey is worth 14 electoral college votes, while Minnesota brings her 10.
That being said, the path to victory is all but blocked now, with Donald Trump sweeping key states including Georgia, North Carolina and (on course) to take Pennsylvania.
Trump on course for record wins in Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa and Ohio
Donald Trump is on course for record wins in the states of Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa and Ohio, NBC News is projecting.
Mr Trump’s home state, Florida, has counted 99% of the votes cast and he’s won 56%.
If that holds, it would be the biggest proportion for a Republican since 1988 when George W Bush got 50.7%.
In Pennsylvania, the key swing state, 95% of the vote has been counted and Trump is on 50.8%.
If that holds, it would be the highest for a Republican since either 1988 when George HW Bush got 50.7% or 1984 when Ronald Reagan won 53.3%
In Iowa, 97% of the vote has been counted, with Mr Trump on 56%.
If that holds, it will be the highest share for a Republican – or any candidate for that matter – in the state since 1972.
In Ohio, 96% of the vote has been counted, with Mr Trump on 55%.
If that holds, it would be the highest share of the vote in the state for any candidate since 1988.
So much for that Iowa poll that had a shock Kamala Harris lead….
