Americans react as Donald Trump wins US presidential race

Donald Trump has won a sweeping victory in the United States presidential election and will return to the White House as the 47th president.

The vote was called in favour of the Republican candidate early on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported

Trump made an astonishing political comeback in defeating his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is yet to concede.

His victory has been met by international congratulations but is likely to add further uncertainty to a turbulent geopolitical situation.

Results showed Trump beating Harris, a Democrat, in a race far less tight than expected as he triumphed in key battleground states

Victory in Wisconsin after earlier triumphs in Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania saw the former president clear the threshold of the 270 Electoral College votes required to clinch the White House in Tuesday’s election.

Supporters of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump celebrate as Fox News declares him the next President of the United States during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, early on November 6

Supporters of the former US president celebrate the news that he has been re-elected to nonconsecutive terms. [Jim Watson/AFP

People attend an Arizona Democrats watch party on election night Tuesday, Nov. 5

People attend an Arizona Democrats watch party on election night in Phoenix

A supporter of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump reacts following early results from the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Palm Beach County Convention Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6

A Trump supporter reacts as early results come in from the 2024 US presidential election

A supporter of US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris reacts during an election night event at Howard University in Washington, DC, on November 5

A Harris supporter reacts to election results at Howard University, the Democratic presidential candidate’s alma mater

Supporters react to election results during an election night event for US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris at Howard University in Washington, DC, on November 5
Harris supporters attend an election nigHomeht event for the US vice president

World reactions as Donald Trump wins US presidential election

After a turbulent and defiant campaign against Kamala Harris, Trump will become the country’s 47th president.

Republican Donald Trump has won the US presidential election in a stunning comeback, The Associated Press news agency reports, with his projected victory in Wisconsin clearing the 270 Electoral votes needed to secure a return to the White House.

Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, before the latest results came in, Trump pledged to bring a “golden age” to the United States, praising what he called “the greatest political movement of all time

His Democratic rival Kamala Harris has not yet conceded and is expected to speak later in the day.

World leaders rushed to congratulate Trump on Wednesday as votes were still being counted after early projected wins in key battleground states. Here are some reactions

Israel

“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory! In true friendship,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on social media platform X.

Far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government also celebrated. “Yesssss, God bless Trump,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “God bless Israel, God bless America

Qatar

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said he looked forward to working with Trump again “in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally”.

Egypt

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said he hoped Trump’s return to the White House could help bring peace to the Middle East.

“I wish him all the success … and I look forward to reaching peace together, upholding regional stability and strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and their friendly peoples,” el-Sisi said on X.

Iran

The livelihoods of Iranians will not be affected by the US election, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani told reporters after a cabinet meeting in the capital, Tehran.

“The US elections are not really our business. Our policies are steady and don’t change based on individuals. We made the necessary predictions before and there will not be change in people’s livelihoods,” she said.