Kamala Harris has officially lost her historic bid to become America’s first woman president, as Republican Donald Trump secured a decisive victory across key battleground states.
Projections confirmed Trump’s win after he swept critical states, making an anticipated appearance at his victory celebration. Harris, the vice-president, canceled her planned address at Howard University, where she studied, as results showed Trump’s significant leads.
Trump’s victory included Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, and extended to other swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan. As expected, he won conservative strongholds from Florida to Idaho, while Harris took liberal states such as New York and California.
The Democratic campaign issued a statement shortly after midnight from co-chair Cedric Richmond, announcing Harris would not appear to speak. At Howard University, the atmosphere shifted as Trump’s wins in swing states became evident, with Democratic supporter Lindy Li describing the mood as “grim.”
Harris, who stepped into the race in July after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, would have made history as the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian-American president. However, exit polls indicated challenges in key demographics. Despite a focus on abortion rights, Harris received 54% of votes from women, compared to Biden’s 57% in 2020. Support among Black and Latino voters also slightly declined.
The Republicans also achieved significant wins in Congress, with projections showing a regained majority in the Senate after flipping seats in West Virginia and Ohio, and maintaining control in Texas. Control of the House remains narrowly in Republican hands. This unified control of Congress will make it easier for Trump to advance his agenda, including immigration policies and tax reforms.
Both parties had legal teams prepared for challenges, and law enforcement was on high alert. CBS reported over 30 false bomb threats targeting election-related sites, with more than half in Georgia alone.