WASHINGTON – Donald Trump took the stage in his home state of Florida at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday and claimed victory after winning three critical swing states – North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
He surpassed the 270 electoral votes he needed to earn a second term at 5:34 a.m.
“I’ll be fighting for you, and with every breath in my body,” Trump told supporters who had gathered at Palm Beach County Convention Center to cheer him on. “I will not rest until we deliver the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”
During his nearly 25-minute address, Trump expressed awe at how far his campaign came, claimed a “mandate” for his agenda and gave tiny glimpses into some of the figures who are likely to shape his next administration.
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Trump tries to strike unity theme
From the top of his speech, when he told a roaring crowd of supporters “we are going to help our country heal” to the final moments when he promised to put “divisions” in the rearview mirror, Trump attempted to strike a unifying tone.
“It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us,” he said. “It’s time to unite … success will bring us together.”
Trump did not utter the name of his opponent – Vice President Kamala Harris – or any Democrat, for that matter, throughout his roughly 20-minute address.
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The 2024 campaign is likely to go down as one of the most hotly contested and divisive in history. Trump and Harris traded harsh and personal barbs at one other up until the closing days. Yet both candidates sought to frame themselves as figures who would bring the country together.
As the likely victor, Trump will be the one tasked with taking on that feat.