Trump wins US presidential election

Our live coverage of the 2024 US presidential election has concluded. Here’s a recap:

4.35pm

Trump wins US presidential election

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, US media announced  Wednesday, beating Democrat Kamala Harris to complete a stunning political comeback.

Trump’s victory was called by multiple television networks. It returns him to the White House after a long, bruising campaign that saw the polarizing Republican ride out two assassination bids and a criminal conviction.

02.20pm

World leaders offer their congratulations to Trump

“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” wrote Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X. “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.”

French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X: “Ready to work together as we were able to do during four years. With your convictions and mine. In respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”

02:13pm

Trump on course to win popular vote as well

As things stand, Donald Trump looks set to win the popular vote - i.e., win the most votes in total - something he didn’t even do in 2016.

He has vowed retribution and revenge if he gets back into the White House.

He has vowed the biggest deportation of migrants in history, more tariffs on foreign trade and promised to end the war in Ukraine and Middle East - though he’s never said how.

01:30pm

Trump says ‘we made history’ as election victory nears

On stage in West Palm Beach, Trump declared victory and pledged to bring a “golden age” to the United States.

“This was a movement like nobody’s ever seen before, and frankly, this was, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time. There’s never been anything like this in this country, and maybe beyond,” Trump said.

12:20pm

Stage is being set for a major speech at Trump’s watch party

Jubilant Donald Trump supporters gathered in Florida on election night, expecting the ex-president to speak after he notched key wins in the race for the White House.   

Men donning formal suits and women in dresses mingled at the Palm Beach County Convention Center event, where they rubbed shoulders with a die-hard Trump fan sporting their political hero’s name emblazoned on a leather vest.

Whether dressed in formal attire or more casual wear, many of the attendees wore Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” baseball caps.

“I feel like Trump has won this election. This is over, and I feel like the world’s about to be much greater,” said Moses Abraham, 22.

Trump pushed closer to victory over Kamala Harris on Wednesday, leaving the Democrat the narrowest of remaining paths to stop him scoring a stunning political comeback.

11:45am

Trump at 243 electoral votes, Harris at 194

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump are battling it out for the White House, with polls nearly all closed across the United States early Wednesday -- but results still coming in.

US media have thus far projected that Trump has won in 24 states, including big prizes Texas and Ohio, key battlegrounds Georgia and North Carolina and other reliably Republican-leaning states.

Harris has so far captured 15 states including big electoral vote prizes California and New York -- as well as the US capital Washington.

So far, that gives Trump 243 electoral votes and Harris 194.

The magic number to win the presidency is 270. Observers expect the hotly contested race for the White House to come down to a handful of key battleground states.

The following is a list of the states won by each candidate and the corresponding number of electoral votes, based on the projections of US media including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC/NBC News, ABC and CBS.

11:45am

Donald Trump has won the key battleground state of Georgia, US media projected early Wednesday, flipping a state that voted Democratic in 2020 and dealing a major blow to his rival Kamala Harris.

CNN and NBC News made the call in the Republican former president's favor.

11:11am

Republicans win majority in the Senate

The GOP has retaken the majority in the Senate, the Associated Press reports, after picking up seats in Ohio and West Virginia, and fending off challenges to their candidates in Texas and Nebraska.

Republicans will control Congress’s upper chamber for the first time in four years. Should Donald Trump win, they will be in a position to confirm his supreme court justices, federal judges and appointees to cabinet posts. If Kamala Harris wins the White House, they can force hold up her appointees, or block them outright.

11:09am

Trump at 227 electoral votes, Harris at 189

11:07am

Trump at 227 electoral votes, Harris at 172

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump are battling it out for the White House, with polls gradually closing across the United States Tuesday and a long night of waiting for results expected.

US media have thus far projected that Trump has won in 23 states, including big prizes Texas and Ohio, key battleground North Carolina and other reliably Republican-leaning states.

Harris has so far captured 12 states including big electoral vote prizes California and New York -- as well as the US capital Washington.

So far, that gives Trump 227 electoral votes and Harris 172.

The magic number to win the presidency is 270. Observers expect the hotly contested race for the White House to come down to a handful of key battleground states.

The following is a list of the states won by each candidate and the corresponding number of electoral votes, based on the projections of US media including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC/NBC News, ABC and CBS.

States called for Harris

These are the places so far the AP has projected the Democrat to win:

• California
• Connecticut
• Colorado
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Illinois
• 1st Congressional District in Maine
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

States called for Trump

These are the places so far the AP has projected the Republican to win:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• 3rd Congressional District in Nebraska
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Ohio
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

10:20am

Trump at 211 electoral votes, Harris at 153

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump are battling it out for the White House, with polls gradually closing across the United States Tuesday and a long night of waiting for results expected.

Projections are tumbling in, with US media calling wins for Trump so far in 22 states including big prizes Texas and Ohio, and other reliably Republican-leaning states.

Harris has so far captured 10 states including big electoral vote prizes California and New York -- as well as the US capital Washington.

So far, that gives Trump 211 electoral votes and Harris 153.

The magic number to win the presidency is 270. Observers expect the hotly contested race for the White House to come down to a handful of key battleground states.

The following is a list of the states won by each candidate and the corresponding number of electoral votes, based on the projections of US media including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC/NBC News, ABC and CBS.

09:30am

Trump at 201 electoral votes, Harris at 91

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump are battling it out for the White House, with polls gradually closing across the United States Tuesday and a long night of waiting for results expected.

Tallies are tumbling in, with US media projecting wins for Trump so far in 20 states including big prizes Texas and Ohio, and other reliably Republican-leaning states.

Harris has so far captured eight states -- Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont -- as well as the US capital Washington.

So far, that gives Trump 201 electoral votes and Harris 91.

The magic number to win the presidency is 270. Observers expect the hotly contested race for the White House to come down to a handful of key battleground states.

The following is a list of the states won by each candidate and the corresponding number of electoral votes, based on the projections of US media including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC/NBC News, ABC and CBS.

Harris (91)

Colorado (10)

Delaware (3)

District of Columbia (3)

Illinois (19)

Maryland (10)

Massachusetts (11)

New York (28)

Rhode Island (4)

Vermont (3)

Trump (201)

Alabama (9)

Arkansas (6)

Florida (30)

Indiana (11)

Kansas (6)

Kentucky (8)

Louisiana (8)

Mississippi (6)

Missouri (10)

Montana (4)

North Dakota (3)

Ohio (17)

Oklahoma (7)

South Carolina (9)

South Dakota (3)

Tennessee (11)

Texas (40)

Utah (6)

West Virginia (4)

Wyoming (3)

Presidential race calls so far

Here are the states that have been called in the presidential race as of 09.15am:

Kamala Harris: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

Donald Trump: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming

09:10am

Colorado called for Harris

The AP has called Colorado for the Democratic Party, giving Kamala Harris 10 Electoral votes.

Young voters show slight but significant shift toward Trump

AP VoteCast data indicates that Trump and Harris' coalitions are largely similar to the 2020 race, with Harris' coalition resembling the diverse group that President Biden assembled.

Preliminary findings suggest meaningful shifts among demographic groups, particularly younger voters. Voters under age 30, who have had their political lives shaped by Trump's presence, showed about half supporting Harris, compared to roughly 6 in 10 who backed Biden in 2020.

Slightly more than 4 in 10 young voters supported Trump, up from about one-third in 2020.

08:59am

Sarah McBride becomes first openly trans person elected to US House

Sarah McBride, a Delaware state senator, has made history as the first openly transgender person elected to the US House of Representatives.

After winning Delaware’s at-large House seat against Republican candidate John Whalen III, McBride expressed her gratitude on X, emphasizing the importance of reproductive freedom, paid leave, affordable child care, housing, and healthcare.

She highlighted that her election is a testament to Delawareans’ values and their support for inclusive democracy.

McBride, 34, acknowledged the significance of her candidacy, stating it reflects the progress and possibilities within the state.

08:50am

Trump at 168 electoral votes, Harris at 81

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are battling it out for the White House, with polls gradually closing across the United States and a long night of waiting for results expected.

Results are tumbling in, with US media projecting wins for Trump so far in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Harris has so far captured Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and the US capital Washington, DC.

So far, that gives Harris 81 electoral votes and Trump 168.

The magic number to win the presidency is 270. Observers expect the hotly contested race for the White House to come down to a handful of key battleground states.

The following is a list of the states won by each candidate and the corresponding number of electoral votes, based on the projections of US media including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC/NBC News, ABC and CBS.

08:45am

Maryland and New York pass abortion rights measures

New York and Maryland have voted to amend their state constitutions to protect abortion rights, solidifying their status as abortion havens.

Maryland’s measure guarantees the right to reproductive freedom, including decisions about pregnancy, with no gestational limit.

New York’s measure expands anti-discrimination laws to include protections related to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproductive health, implicitly covering abortion rights.

Seven other states are voting on similar measures. Florida’s measure to overturn a six-week abortion ban has failed, while four states await results on potential abortion ban reversals.

08:28am

Nebraska district called for Trump

The AP has called Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District for the Republican Party, giving Trump one Electoral vote.

07:10am

Trump and Harris secure strongholds

The Associated Press has called Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee for Donald Trump, and Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut for Kamala Harris.

None of these results are surprising, with the two candidates winning states that have supported their respective parties for years. If there is anything to note, it’s that Florida was called so quickly – when Trump first won in 2016, it was viewed as a swing state, but has since become reliably Republican.

03:15am

Key developments so far

• High voter turnout with long lines at polling stations across the US.

• Republican voters have cast early ballots at a higher rate than in previous elections, following a campaign by Donald Trump.

• Both Trump and Kamala Harris have urged their supporters on social media to vote.

• Trump has made misleading comparisons about the pace of ballot counting in the US versus France.

• The FBI is aware of bomb threats against several polling places in Georgia, which are not credible and likely originated from foreign actors.

02:35am

Voting time extended in some counties due to delays

Voting has been extended by 90 minutes in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, due to the late opening of polling stations, official say.

Voting at the polling location in Laflin Borough will now end at 9:30pm, US time.

Earlier, two voting precincts in Cobb County, Georgia were also granted permission to stay open late due to delays in opening times.

Google addresses search result discrepancy for voting queries

Google is addressing a glitch that caused different search results for “where can I vote for Harris” and “where can I vote for Trump.”

The Harris query showed a polling station locator, while the Trump query only displayed news articles.

Elon Musk highlighted the issue in an X post, which garnered over 4.5 million views.

Google explained that the discrepancy was due to “Harris” being a county name in Texas and is working on a fix. They also noted that few people search for voting places this way.

How do astronauts vote from space?

On the latest episode of Nasa’s podcast, the agency explained how astronauts can vote from space.

Marta Durham and Karen Adkins, Nasa ground staff, detailed the process: astronauts request an absentee ballot, which is sent to them in space.

“They fill it out, sign it, scan it, and send it back as a password-protected PDF to ensure ballot secrecy.”

Some astronauts even create makeshift “voting booths” in their crew quarters.

All the US presidential candidates

Donald Trump: The Republican nominee, running for a third consecutive election cycle. He won the presidency in 2016 but lost to Joe Biden in 2020.

Kamala Harris: The Democratic nominee and current vice president, who secured the nomination after Joe Biden dropped out.

Jill Stein: Representing the Green Party, known for her opposition to Israel’s war on Gaza, with minimal support but potential influence in swing states.

Chase Oliver: A Libertarian Party activist, polling at 1% nationally.

Cornel West: A progressive academic with 0.5% support.

Robert Kennedy, Jr: Initially an independent candidate, now endorsing Trump, though his name remains on some ballots.

01:45am

Musk to spend election night with Trump

Elon Musk will spend election night with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, reports the New York Times.

01:35am

Tight race in Nevada polls

Recent polling data shows a virtual tie between the candidates. According to an average of 13 recent polls, Trump holds a narrow 0.6% lead, but individual polls vary. A FiveThirtyEight average has Trump with a 0.3-point lead, while a Times/Siena poll places Harris ahead by three points.

Trump says would concede defeat ‘if it's a fair election’

US Republican presidential contender Donald Trump said he would be prepared to concede defeat after Tuesday's vote "if it's a fair election," while again raising concerns about the use of electronic voting machines.

"If I lose an election, if it's a fair election, I would be the first one to acknowledge it... So far, I think it's been fair," Trump, repeating a caveat that he has used many times on the campaign trail, told reporters after voting in Florida.

01:30am

Officials: Over half of registered voters have already cast their ballots

While Election Day is finally here, more than 83 million people have already cast their ballots, officials said.

In Georgia, one of seven key swing states, long lines were forming outside polling stations, officials said, despite more than 4 million people in the Peach State having already voted.

FBI: Russian behind non-credible bomb threats in several states

The FBI says there have been "bomb threats" to polling stations in several states, and that many "appear to originate from Russian email domains."

"None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far," it says.

The FBI says election integrity its highest priorities and that it is working closely with state and local law enforcement.

01:15am

Harris urges Americans to get out and vote in radio

Kamala Harris is urging Americans to “get out and vote” in a handful of radio interviews today.

"We've got to get it done. Today is voting day, and people need to get out and be active," she says on Atlanta station WVEE-FM.

• US election: Four scenarios that could define the outcome
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01:00am

Voting hours extended in Pennsylvania county after software glitch

A Pennsylvania state judge ordered polls to remain open for two extra hours, until 10pm local time, in Cambria County, after a software malfunction affected ballot-scanning machines.

County officials said the problem caused some voter confusion, with some leaving without casting a ballot, as well as long lines at some locations.

Officials stressed that no one was being turned away from the polls and that all ballots would be counted.

US Capitol police arrest man with flare gun

The US Capitol Police reported the arrest of a man at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC, who 'smelled like fuel' and was carrying a 'flare gun.

In a post on X, the police say the man was stopped during its screening process at the centre.

12:45am

FBI arrests 2 in Michigan over election threats

FBI agents have arrested two people in Michigan for making election-related threats, according to The Detroit News. The Michigan-based outlet says one suspect was linked to an assassination plot targeting Donald Trump.

12:30am

Security tightens in Washington

On every street corner in Washington, police vehicles and officers with their canine units patrol the perimeter. Across from the White House, 8-foot metal fences stand as a stark reminder of heightened security.

At the Capitol building, fences and barricades create a fortified barrier, marked by numerous signs reading, "Police Line: Do Not Cross."

This heightened security is far from ordinary. Across the country, we are seeing businesses taking similar action. Protective boarding has gone up in some areas of Oregon, Pennsylvania, and California.

10:49pm

Trump casts ballot in Florida

Donald Trump has arrived to vote in Palm Beach, Florida alongside his wife, Melania.

He told reporters he is “very honored” to find out that the lines are long. “This is the best campaign,” he said.

Donald Trump is asked if he will tell his supporters not to be violent.

“I don’t have to tell them that there’ll be no violence. Of course there will be no violence,” Trump tells reporters in Florida.

He says his supporters “are not violent people … these are people that believe in no violence.”

“I certainly don’t want any violence, but I certainly don’t have to tell [these] great people,'” he says.

Where are Trump and Harris?

Donald Trump spent the early hours of Election Day in Michigan, concluding a late-night rally in Grand Rapids.

The Republican candidate plans to spend the day in Florida, where he is expected to vote in person, despite previously indicating he would vote early.

He is scheduled to hold a campaign watch party in Palm Beach on Tuesday night.

Kamala Harris plans to attend an election night party at Howard University in Washington, a historically Black university where she graduated with a degree in economics and political science in 1986 and was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Aside from her appearance at Howard, she has no public schedule announced for Election Day.

Harris mentioned on Sunday that she had “just filled out” her mail-in ballot and it was “on its way to California.”

10 US states where abortion is on ballot

Americans in 10 states are voting on whether to enshrine the right to abortion into their state constitutions. The states include Florida, Colorado, Maryland, Arizona, Montana, Nebraska, Missouri, Nevada, New York and South Dakota.

In states like Arizona and Florida, voters can overturn bans passed after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade in June 2022. Other states, like Colorado and New York, are voting to boost protections for abortion.

Nebraska has two competing measures: one to enshrine a 12-week ban and another for more expansive protections.

Since Roe was overturned, seven states have held abortion-related referendums, with abortion rights supporters winning all.

08:34pm

Trump campaign claims election workers ‘illegally kicked out’

The Trump campaign has alleged that four court-appointed Republican election observers were “blocked from participating and illegally removed” from a polling location in Philadelphia on election day.

“This is a crime and should not occur in a fair and secure election as promised,” the campaign said.

“This is an unacceptable breach of public trust that undermines the transparency of Philadelphia’s election process.”

According to the statement, three of the four observers were eventually allowed back into the polling location.

“We demand that District Attorney Larry Krasner and election officials take immediate action to ensure our poll observers are allowed access to precincts,” the statement continued.

Krasner is expected to hold a press conference to provide an election update.

07:56pm

Some individuals are reporting delays and issues at polling stations, such as machines not accepting ballots and systems being down.

In Wayne County, Ohio, the local board of elections announced on Tuesday morning that they experienced equipment issues at the Kidron Community Center polling station. Although voters were still processed, these problems resulted in some delays.

However, Wayne County officials reported that the issues had been resolved, and the polling location was “back to full force.”

What are swing states, and why are they critical?

Swing states, also known as battleground states or purple states, are those that do not consistently vote for a single political party in presidential elections. Instead, their support swings between Democratic and Republican candidates from one election to another. These states are critical for several reasons:

Electoral votes: In the US, the president is elected not by the national popular vote but by the Electoral College. Each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its population. Candidates need 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win the presidency. Swing states often hold a significant number of these votes and can tip the balance in favor of one candidate or the other.

Unpredictability: Because swing states do not have a predictable voting pattern, both candidates invest considerable resources in campaigning there. Winning a swing state can be pivotal to securing enough electoral votes.

Voter demographics: Swing states typically have diverse and varied voter demographics, meaning that candidates must address a wide range of issues and concerns. This forces candidates to broaden their appeal and address the needs of a larger portion of the electorate.

Impact on campaign strategy: Candidates often tailor their campaign strategies, messages, and policies specifically to appeal to voters in swing states. This can shape national discourse and influence the broader election strategy.

Examples of swing states include Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, and Arizona. Because the outcome in these states is uncertain, they receive a lot of attention from candidates, media, and political analysts during election seasons.

Six Bangladeshi-Americans running in US elections this year

Six Bangladeshi-origin candidates are running again in the US elections on Tuesday. All six are incumbents in various state legislatures seeking re-election.

• Six Bangladeshi-Americans running in US elections this year

Why is US election held on first Tuesday of November?

In Latin America, elections typically occur on Sundays, while in India, they can span weeks due to the country’s vast size. In the Middle East, Saturday is often the key day.

However, in the United States, presidential elections are held every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

The tradition of holding elections in early November dates back to the mid-1800s when election dates varied by state.

In 1845, the US Congress established a uniform election date to prevent early voting results from influencing later votes.

The chosen date, “the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November,” was selected to avoid conflicts with the spring planting season, autumn harvest, and winter weather.

Tuesday was chosen because Sunday was a church day, and Wednesday was market day for farmers.

This tradition continues to this day.

05:30pm

Harris and Trump share voter posts

Kamala Harris has shared her first post on X since US polls opened just over an hour ago.

“America, this is the moment to make your voices heard,” the current vice president says.

Her opponent, Donald Trump, hasn’t posted since polls opened but did say on his Truth Social platform about three hours ago: “IT’S TIME TO GET OUT AND VOTE—SO TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

That was about an hour after his final campaign rally in Michigan wrapped up.

Where do Harris and Trump stand on immigration and foreign policy?

Immigration: Kamala Harris advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, supporting a border security bill, increased security personnel, and more legal immigration.

Republicans argue that the immigration system is “broken,” with Trump claiming an exaggerated number of immigrants entering the US. Trump aims to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, deploy troops to the Mexico border, and end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented parents.

Foreign policy: Harris seeks an end to the war in Gaza while reaffirming Israel’s “right to self-defense.” She supports the Biden administration’s stance on Ukraine and advocates for “Taiwan’s ability to defend itself” against China, opposing economic detachment from China.

Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s Ukraine policy and called for an end to the war, without committing additional aid to Ukraine. Like Harris, he supports Israel and aims to end the war in Gaza. Trump seeks strategic independence from China but also desires a good relationship with Beijing.

04:00pm

Polls open in Vermont, kicking off US election day

It's now 05:00am on the East Coast of America, marking the official start of US election day with polls opening in Vermont. As the day progresses, more states will open their polls, allowing Americans to cast their votes for the next president.

States like New York and Virginia will soon follow.

Read more of Dhaka Tribune's US election 2024 coverage:

• US election: How does the electoral college voting system work?
• US election: What time do the polls close and when will the results be known?
• New Hampshire hamlet tied in first US Election day votes
• Washington experiences calm before the storm
• Harris vs Trump in historic showdown