Trump Leads in Battlegrounds, Declares Victory as Harris Faces Tight Race

Election 2024 Live Updates: Trump Declares Victory with Pennsylvania Win, Nearing the White House

Overview:
As voters cast their final ballots in the 2024 election, deciding between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, as well as the fate of hundreds of congressional and state races, Forbes will continuously update the latest developments from top news sources until the results are final.

Key Updates:

World Leaders Congratulate Trump
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron publicly congratulated Donald Trump. Netanyahu described Trump’s win as “history’s greatest comeback,” while Macron expressed his readiness to work together as they did during Trump’s previous term. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also extended his congratulations.

Trump Declares Victory
In the early hours of Wednesday, after the Associated Press (AP) called Pennsylvania for Trump, he declared victory, standing alongside his family and running mate, Senator JD Vance, in Palm Beach. “This was a movement like no one’s ever seen before,” Trump said, claiming it was the greatest political movement of all time. While Trump made his announcement, the Associated Press has yet to officially declare him the overall winner.

Trump Praises Vance
Trump thanked Senator JD Vance for being a strong choice, mentioning that despite early doubts, he had faith in Vance’s intellect. Trump also took jabs at media networks like CNN and MSNBC, calling them the “enemy camp,” and praised Vance for his tough interviews with these outlets.

Trump Hails Elon Musk
During his victory speech, Trump praised billionaire Elon Musk, calling him a “super genius” and highlighting SpaceX’s achievements. Trump emphasized the need to “protect our super geniuses.”

Trump Wins Pennsylvania
Trump won Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes early Wednesday, putting him at 267 electoral votes—just three shy of the 270 needed to secure the presidency. This win effectively eliminated Kamala Harris’ chances, although the AP has yet to call the state of Alaska, which would finalize Trump’s victory.

Trump Leads in Key Swing States
With 95% of votes counted in Pennsylvania, Trump holds a nearly 200,000 vote lead, and he’s ahead in all key swing states. This includes a lead of two points in Georgia, three in Pennsylvania, and six in Michigan. Nevada is the latest state to report, where Trump is leading by three points.

Trump Wins North Carolina and Georgia
Trump secured his first wins on election night, taking North Carolina and Georgia. This brought his electoral total to 247 votes. His path to victory has widened, with strong leads in other battleground states, including Pennsylvania, which would put him over the 270 threshold.

Harris Concedes Ground
Harris will not speak to her supporters on election night but plans to address them on Wednesday. Her campaign co-chair, former Representative Cedric Richmond, stated that they would continue working overnight to ensure every vote is counted, but Harris’ chances appear to be shrinking as Trump leads in key battlegrounds.

Republicans Gain Control of the Senate
The GOP has regained control of the Senate, flipping seats in West Virginia and Ohio, where Trump ally Bernie Moreno ousted three-term incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown. Republicans also held off challenges in Nebraska, Texas, and Florida.

Trump Leads in Arab-American District
In Dearborn, Michigan, Trump has a commanding lead with 46.1% of the vote, compared to Harris’ 31%. This district has a large Arab-American population, many of whom disapprove of the Biden administration’s handling of the war in Gaza.

Trump’s Strong Performance in Swing States
Trump’s leads in key states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin continue to grow. He also leads in Nevada, and his chances of clinching a victory are becoming more likely with every update.

GOP Sweeps Several States
In addition to winning major battlegrounds, Trump claimed Missouri, Texas, and Ohio. Meanwhile, Harris won New York and Illinois, but many states remain too close to call, especially those in the crucial Midwest and South.

Republicans Take Senate Seat in West Virginia
In West Virginia, Governor Jim Justice won the Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Joe Manchin, giving Republicans another victory in their effort to regain control of the upper chamber.

Concerns Over Election Integrity
There have been multiple bomb threats in Pennsylvania and other swing states, leading to temporary polling station evacuations. These threats are believed to be linked to Russian actors aiming to disrupt the election process.

Controversies Surrounding the Vote
Reports of voting machine malfunctions in Arizona, extended voting hours in several states, and allegations of voting irregularities have surfaced. Trump and his supporters have also made unfounded claims about election fraud, which have been debunked by local authorities.

What’s Still to Come:

• Senate and House Control: Republicans are expected to regain control of the Senate, while the House remains more competitive.
• Polling Results: We’re awaiting results from several critical swing states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada, which could ultimately decide the election.

Key Background:
This election marks a historic moment as former President Trump, who faces multiple criminal charges, challenges Vice President Kamala Harris, who could become the first woman to win the presidency. With polls showing a deadlocked race, the seven swing states will be pivotal in determining the outcome.

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