The votes are all in. Millions of Americans formed long lines to cast their ballots while thousands of US expats from around the world, including the UAE, made their voices heard through mailed and online votes.
Now the wait begins. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump notched up early wins on Election Night, November 5, as the first key polls closed in one of the tightest and most volatile elections in US history.
The outcome — which could be known overnight but may take days — will have momentous consequences, either making Harris the first woman in the world’s most powerful job or handing a historic comeback to Trump and his right-wing “America First” agenda.
Here’s a snapshot of election results from Reuters, based on a running tally by Edison Research:
3.21pm: Dollar soars, stocks rally as Trump wins
The dollar surged, stocks rallied and bitcoin struck a record high Wednesday as the world gears up for a Donald Trump presidency that analysts say could rekindle inflation.
Europe’s main equity indices jumped in morning deals, while Asia diverged, with Chinese stocks hit by expectations that Trump would impose tariffs on Chinese imports.
3.13pm: Hamas issues statement after election victory
Hamas will judge Donald Trump’s new US administration on its actions and policy towards Palestinians, the movement said on Wednesday following his election win.
“Our position on the new US administration depends on its positions and practical behaviour towards our Palestinian people, their legitimate rights and their just cause,” the group said in a statement.
3.09pm: Dubai Ruler congratulates the new President
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, took to social media to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory.
The leader emphasised on working together to achieve ‘peace and stability’ in the region.
2.50pm: Wisconsin sealed the victory
Trump secured his White House win as the swing state of Wisconsin turned red, based on projections by the media.
Though results from three other battleground states (Nevada, Michigan and Arizona) are yet to be called, Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes pushed Trump’s estimated vote count past the 270 mark.
2.41pm: Trump, 279; Harris, 223
2.36pm: Trump elected president, says media
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, US media announced on Wednesday, beating Democrat Kamala Harris to complete a stunning political comeback.
Trump, 78, recaptured the White House by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, media outlets and Edison Research projected, following a campaign of dark rhetoric that deepened the polarization in the country.
The former president’s victory in the swing state of Wisconsin pushed him over the threshold.
