Jubilant supporters cheered and danced as Donald Trump declared victory in the US presidential race at a Florida event early Wednesday, despite major news networks refraining from calling the election.
With arms raised in celebration, 68-year-old Ted Sarvanis told AFP he felt โextraordinary,โ adding, โThis is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.โ
Sarvanis was near the stage where Trump had just delivered a victory speech, even as Fox News was the only major network to project the result of Tuesdayโs vote at that moment. Trump, alongside his vice presidential pick J.D. Vance, spoke of a โpolitical victory that our country has never seen before,โ signaling his potential return to the White House.
In stark contrast, a Howard University event for Kamala Harris saw the Democratโs supporters heading home disheartened, with campaign officials announcing the vice president would not be speaking that night. โI am scared, I am anxious now,โ Charlyn Anderson, a supporter, said earlier in the evening. โWe wonโt give up until itโs done, but Iโm scared.โ
As the night progressed, Trumpโs numbers surged in the crucial battleground states. With three of the seven key states leaning in his favor, he moved closer to securing a victory.
At the Trump rally, supporters in formal suits and dresses mingled with die-hard fans sporting leather vests emblazoned with the former presidentโs name. Many attendees wore Trumpโs signature red โMake America Great Againโ hats.
โI feel relieved. I was a little bit scared, because you never know how things are going to turn out,โ said 45-year-old Stacy Kurtz.