WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Former president Donald Trump staged a stunning comeback in the 2024 US elections; He benefited from a diverse coalition of supporters who not only supported his Electoral College victory but also justified his controversial politics by awarding him the prize. popular vote.

Four years after leaving Washington in disgrace incite a riot By refusing to acknowledge that he lost the 2020 election, he will become the first non-consecutive American president in more than 130 years.

At 78, he will be 82 at the end of his term, making him the nation’s oldest president.

And also the most durable: was accused twice Convicted 34 times and nearly assassinated, he defied all odds to get here.

His victory in the November 5 elections was not just a story of grassroots mobilization, but also of a significant base expansion.

Trump, who received less than 47 percent of the popular vote in his previous two campaigns in 2016 and 2020, was favored to win the popular vote this round and end a 20-year losing streak in vote totals among Republican candidates.

His party also took control of the Senate after flipping seats in Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia and defeating challenges in Florida, Nebraska, and Texas. This is critical for Trump to be able to choose a Cabinet of his own choosing, as these appointments require Senate approval.

And if Republicans maintain their majority in the House of Representatives (at the time of this writing, the race is still too close to call), they will be nearly unstoppable in carrying out their legislative agenda.

After winning important states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, Trump declared his victory in a speech in Florida, while he got ahead of his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, in Wisconsin and Michigan.

While key states like Michigan, Arizona and Nevada were close to calling at press time, she had already trailed Ms. Harris in the electoral vote tally, 277-224, to secure the simple majority needed to win the White House. .

“This is a magnificent victory for the American people,” Trump said in an hour-long speech on a stage bedecked with American flags just after 2 a.m. (Eastern Time). He was flanked by his wife, Melania, his children, his vice president, Senator J.D. Vance, and his high-profile supporters.

He said he would fight for “every citizen” and vowed to fulfill his campaign promise to strengthen the economy. “This will truly be America’s golden age,” he said.

He also spoke about the assassination attempt in July, saying he was told God spared him “to save our country and restore America to greatness.”

He called his landslide victory a “historic realignment” resulting from the consolidation of the white vote and the addition of black and Hispanic voters.

And he wasted no time in moving seamlessly to his message of unity. “Success will bring us together,” he said.

Many world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, offered congratulatory messages within hours.

“Singapore stands ready to work closely with you and your administration to advance our bilateral relations and further strengthen US partnerships in the Asia-Pacific,” Prime Minister Wong said.