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NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Former President Donald Trump's comeback is complete: He was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press, beating his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.
NATIONAL ELECTION
Trump won over frustrated voters with bold promises that his fiery brand of America-first economic populism and conservative culture would make their lives better. He is set to enter the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, from an undisputed position of strength. With votes still being counted, he could become the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote.
The results left Democrats facing an urgent and immediate reckoning, with no obvious leader to unite the anti-Trump coalition and no clear plan to rebuild as an emboldened Trump prepares to re-take Washington.
WATCH: Trump claims a ‘powerful mandate’ in election night speech, calls for the nation to ‘unite’
Trump has promised sweeping action in a second administration.
Trump spoke to supporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, telling them, "This was the greatest political movement ever .. We are going to help our country heal and it needs help very badly ... We made history for a reason tonight ... We overcame obstacles that nobody thought would happen ... But it's a political victory that our country has never seen before. And every citizen I will fight for you and for your future ... I will not rest until we deliver the strong safe America you deserve and your children deserve. This is a magnificent victory for the American people."
4:24 p.m.: Vice President Kamala Harris delivers concession speech at Howard University
Vice President Kamala Harris stood at a podium in front of a large crowd at Howard University to deliver her concession speech after losing the 2024 presidential election to President-elect Donald Trump.
Harris began her speech by stating that her "heart is full today," and by thanking all those who helped support her campaign, specifically mentioning her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and their family; President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden; her running mate Gov. Tim Walz and his family; and the volunteers and staffers who worked with her.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted. Not what we fought for. Not what we voted for," Harris said. "But hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright. As long as we never give up, and as long as we keep fighting.”
The vice president confirmed earlier reports that she spoke to Trump and congratulated him on his victory, with a promise to help his administration transition into power in a peaceful manner.
Harris said that while she understands "folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now," the public must accept the results of the election, and even thought her campaign did not prevail, there is work to be done.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign," Harris stated.
2:50 p.m.: Biden calls Harris and Trump
President Joe Biden called President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his election victory and to invite him to the White House to discuss the transition.
The White House said staff would coordinate a date “in the near future.” Biden plans to address the nation on the election results, which will have sharp implications for his legacy on Thursday. Biden also spoke with Vice President Harris to congratulate her on her campaign.
The president said that he would address the nation regarding the election results and transition on Thursday.
2 p.m.: Hochul commits to 'fighting every step of the way' for the rights of New Yorkers following Trump victory
Gov. Kathy Hochul, joined by New York Attorney General Letitia James, delivered remarks about the results of the 2024 election from New York City.
The governor, who reassured her constituents that "New York has weathered storms before," live streamed the event.
Hochul congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his victory at the polls, and commended Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on their historic campaign, but focused her remarks on her commitment to fighting any future attempts from the White House to infringe on New Yorkers' rights.
"We’ll work with anyone who wants to be a partner in achieving the goals of our administration and our state," Hochul said. "That does not mean we’ll accept an agenda from Washington that strips away the rights that New Yorkers have long enjoyed.”
James echoed Hochul's message and confirmed that her office has been "preparing for several months" to respond to the perceived threats of a Trump White House, stating that "we’ve faced this challenge before, and we used the rule of law to fight back."
"We know their playbook. We [knew] Project 2025, before it was even published," James said. "We have been working both in my office, and with other Democratic AGs across this country, to make sure that we would be ready to respond to any attempt to roll back our rights.”
Hochul briefly referred to some wins for Democrats in the election, including the passing of Proposition 1, which establishes protections for abortion and reproductive health. She also pointed to her own continued efforts to work toward better climate and gun control policies.
But the governor's ultimate message to Trump was one of warning.
“If you try to harm New Yorkers, or roll back their rights, I will fight you every step of the way," she said, addressing Trump. "New Yorkers are resilient. We fought the first time around, and we’ll fight again.”
1:50 p.m.: Harris called Trump to congratulate him on his win
Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the presidential election in a phone call to Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to one of her senior advisers.
The adviser said that Harris discussed the need for a peaceful transition of power. She plans to address the nation in a concession speech from her alma mater, Howard University, at 4 p.m.
“President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone earlier today where she congratulated him on his historic victory," Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign communications director, said in a statement. "President Trump acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country.”
1:45 p.m.: Trump completes ‘Blue Wall’ sweep, just as he did in 2016
With Donald Trump’s victory in Michigan, he completes a sweep of the Great Lakes “Blue Wall” states that Kamala Harris had considered her smoothest path to victory.
12 p.m.: Kamala Harris set to speak at 4 p.m. from Howard University
Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a concession speech Wednesday at 4 p.m., her office announced.
Harris will speak at Howard University, her alma mater in Washington, where her supporters watched returns Tuesday night before being sent home after midnight as President-elect Donald Trump pulled ahead in battleground state results.
11:30 a.m.: Mayor Eric Adams congratulates Trump, calls for a peaceful power of transfer
Adams held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the implications of the 2024 presidential election on New York City.
“I want to say to our fellow New Yorkers that votes have been counted, and America has elected a new president, incoming President Donald Trump,” Mayor Adams said. “As Americans, we respect the will of the people and are committed to the peaceful transfer of power.”
"I want to congratulate President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and wish them all the best as they work to promote the interests of the American people," Adams continued.
11 a.m.: Former President Bush congratulates Trump
In a statement, former President George W. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, “join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government.”
Some top former Republican officials, including Bush’s vice president, Dick Cheney, had endorsed Harris. But Bush remained neutral.
Bush also thanked “President Biden and Vice President Harris for their service to our country.”
“The strong turnout in this election is a sign of the health of our republic and the strength of our democratic institutions,” said Bush, who called the election a “free, fair, safe, and secure election.”
10:16 a.m.: Gov. Kathy Hochul promises to "[safeguard] the rights, freedoms and values" of New Yorkers ahead of election remarks
10:10 a.m.: US stock market and bitcoin surge
The Dow jumped 1,200 points, or 2.8% early Wednesday and major stocks including Elon Musk’s Tesla and bitcoin soared.
Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind the Truth Social platform, also surged.
10 a.m.: New York approves amendment protecting pregnancy rights as abortion measures see mixed results nationwide
Voters in Missouri cleared the way to undo one of the nation's most restrictive abortion bans in one of seven victories for abortion rights advocates, while Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota defeated similar constitutional amendments, leaving bans in place.
Abortion rights amendments also passed in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland and Montana. Nevada voters also approved an amendment, but they'll need to pass it again it 2026 for it to take effect. Another that bans discrimination on the basis of “pregnancy outcomes” prevailed in New York.
A New York equal rights law, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment, that abortion rights group say will bolster abortion rights also passed. It doesn’t contain the word “abortion” but rather bans discrimination on the basis of “pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” Sasha Ahuja, campaign director of New Yorkers for Equal Rights, called the result “a monumental victory for all New Yorkers” and a vote against opponents who she says used misleading parental rights and anti-trans messages to thwart the measure.
The amendment, which faced sharp divisions among supporters and opponents, aims to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution while expanding anti-discrimination and equal protection rights to include ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care.
Opponents, particularly conservatives, fiercely criticized the measure, arguing it would legally protect transgender athletes’ right to compete on girls’ sports teams, raising concerns about its broader legal implications. Despite the controversy, supporters celebrated the measure as a significant step forward for civil rights and reproductive health protections.
9:20 a.m.: Global leaders congratulate Trump
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “historic election victory” and said that “as the closest of allies, the U.K. and U.S. will continue to work together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy.”
France’s centrist President Emmanuel Macron offered congratulations, “respect and ambition.” Social democratic German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump and said he wanted continued close ties, even if “surely many things will be different under a Donald Trump-led administration.”
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, whose far right-led government is in some ways close to Trump politically, said Italy and the U.S. had a “strategic bond, which I am sure we will now strengthen even more.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte congratulated Trump, saying that “I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO” in the face of “a growing number of challenges globally,” including “the increasing alignment of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump’s election win “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!” he wrote on social media.
9:10 a.m.: Republicans take Senate majority
Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate and are fighting to keep their majority in the U.S. House, which would produce a full sweep of GOP power in Congress alongside President-elect Donald Trump in the White House.
A unified Republican grip on Washington would set the course for Trump's agenda. Or if Democrats wrest control of the House, it would provide an almost certain backstop, with veto power over the White House.
Trump, speaking early Wednesday at his election night party in Florida, said the results delivered an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” for Republicans.
He called the Senate rout “incredible.” And he praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, who dashed from his own party in Louisiana to join Trump. “He's doing a terrific job,” Trump said.
Vote counting in some races could go on for days, and control of the House is too early to call.
9 a.m.: New York and New Jersey governors set to deliver election remarks
Gov. Kathy Hochul will deliver remarks on the 2024 election at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy will hold a press conference on the 2024 election results at 2 p.m.
8 a.m.: Kamala Harris cancels election night speech at Howard University
Kamala Harris canceled her planned election night appearance at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, DC, as Donald Trump gained momentum with early results showing key victories in critical swing states. By Wednesday morning, it became clear that Trump had secured a decisive lead, leaving Harris yet to address the public following her loss in the presidential race.
NEW YORK
Nearly 3 million voters participated in early voting across New York State, including 1.1 million in New York City, as they cast their ballots for top offices, Senate seats, and state proposals.
In the U.S. Senate race, Kirsten Gillibrand secured reelection, defeating Republican challenger Mike Sapraicone. On Long Island’s East End, Republican Rep. Nick LaLota won another term, beating Democratic challenger John Avlon in their congressional race, according to AP.
“I am deeply honored that Long Islanders have entrusted me to serve in Congress for another two years. Our convincing victory reflects our commitment to tackling our nation’s toughest challenges, from securing the border and fighting high prices to increasing the SALT deduction cap,” LaLota said in a statement.
Republican New York Congressman Mike Lawler claimed victory against his Democratic challenger, Mondaire Jones, boosting GOP hopes of retaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.