Janice R. Andrews
Donald Trump has claimed victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. With 295 Electoral College votes reported by Thursday morning, Trump exceeded the 270-vote threshold needed for a win. Harris has earned 226 votes, though some states are still counting ballots.
Trump’s success in several crucial battleground states was key to his victory. He won Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina, with leads in Nevada and Arizona, potentially bringing his total to 312 Electoral College votes.
This outcome is a major blow to the Democratic Party, which had been hopeful heading into Election Day. Key races that were expected to be competitive quickly tilted in Trump’s favor, reshaping the political scene.
In Arizona, Trump led with 52.3% of the vote as 69% of ballots were counted. He also maintained a 51% lead in Nevada, with 90% of votes tallied. States like Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania have firmly backed Trump, contributing to his growing Electoral College lead.
For the latest updates and a full Electoral College map, visit USA TODAY’s 2024 election results page for continuous vote counts.
