Updated November 6, 2024 at 6:50 p.m.

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to become the 47th president of the United States, sweeping aside two impeachments, four indictments and two assassination attempts before winning back the White House.

The Associated Press called Trump’s election shortly after 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, after he received 10 electoral college votes in Wisconsin to cross the 270-vote threshold. Trump has already won the critical states of North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania, virtually eliminating any chance of victory for Harris.

Harris called Trump Wednesday afternoon to officially recognize the election. She also addressed her loss hours later in a speech to a crowd of supporters at Howard University, where Harris was originally scheduled to speak at an election night event Tuesday.

Harris stressed that it was essential to “engage in a peaceful exchange of power,” even if the election results were not what her supporters hoped for.

“When we lose an election, we accept the results. This principle distinguishes a democracy from a monarchy or tyranny,” Harris said.

An attendee at Harris’ election watch party watches as Harris’ election hopes dwindle. By Frank S. Zhou

Harris nonetheless urged her supporters to continue fighting for what they believe.

“While I recognize the election, I do not recognize the fight that fueled this campaign,” Harris said. “Never stop trying to make the world a better place.”

Trump’s re-election comes after he was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York state court. Once he takes office in January, Trump will have presidential immunity from federal charges.

During the race, both candidates presented the election as a battle for the future of the country.

Democrats have warned that Trump, who has not accepted the results of his loss to President Joe Biden in 2020, would be dangerous for democracy. In the weeks leading up to the election, John F. Kelly — who served as Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff during his first term — said he believed the former president met the definition of ‘a fascist.

Meanwhile, Trump rode a wave of anger directed at the Biden-Harris administration over rising inflation and illegal immigration to victory. Trump also repeatedly claimed throughout the campaign that his four indictments demonstrated he was the victim of politically motivated prosecutions – capitalizing on his supporters’ waning trust in public institutions.

Harris election night attendees groan as Harris takes early blows in battleground states Tuesday night. By Frank S. Zhou

Trump’s re-election secured a huge victory for Republicans on Tuesday, which saw the Republican Party regain control of the Senate for the first time in four years. Republicans also hope to maintain their control of the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) currently has a three-vote majority.

Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance (Republican of Ohio), will take office on January 20, 2025, when Trump will become the first US president to serve two non-consecutive terms since former President Grover Cleveland was re-elected in 1892..

As his victory became increasingly clear, Trump delivered a victory speech early Wednesday morning to an awaiting crowd in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In his speech, Trump promised the country that his term in office would result in the “greatest economic return.”

“I will not rest until we provide the strong, safe and prosperous learning that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be America’s golden age,” he said.

As Trump’s lead in electoral votes grew, shockwaves were sent to Harris Watch party attendees earlier in the night.

Democrats were briefly optimistic about Harris’ ability to defeat Trump after Biden withdrew from the race in late July and endorsed Harris to become the Democratic Party’s nominee.

Harris, however, failed to replicate Biden’s success in 2020, as Trump flipped Pennsylvania and Georgia — two key battleground states that Biden won in the last election. At her election night party at Howard, attendees grew increasingly discouraged before Harris canceled her appearance as Trump pulled ahead in the race.

Trash scattered across the driveway after attendees exited Harris’ election night party early Wednesday morning. By Frank S. Zhou

In an attempt to inject enthusiasm into the crowd, campaign staffers began handing out American flags in bundles to attendees.

But the flag-waving quickly ended when a visibly disappointed audience saw CNN calling Ohio instead of Trump. As CNN anchor John King painted a bleak picture of Harris in Kent County, Michigan, one participant said, “It’s ridiculous.” »

Despite growing frustration with the election results, the Harris Watch party’s energy was briefly reignited after Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland’s Democratic Senate candidate, gave a speech after her victory was confirmed.

But the North Carolina election results quickly deflated any lingering energy from Alsobrooks’ speech. As Trump’s victory in the swing state was announced, more than 100 attendees of Harris’ watch party began streaming in, expressing disappointment and frustration with the upcoming results.

Noticing the gloomy mood, the Harris campaign dropped the broadcast of CNN’s live feed and began playing loud music to try to boost public morale.

At Harvard University, students and faculty closely followed the results at several election vigils on campus. Hundreds of students filled the Sanders Theater for an event co-hosted by the Office of the Dean of Students, the Institute of Politics and Harvard College Intellectual Vitality.

Harvard students applaud and watch apprehensively at an election watch party at the Sanders Theater. By Assma Alrefai

Many students expressed excitement as they watched the results come in with their friends in the crowded room.

“I am so grateful to have had the chance to experience such an incredible event during my first year here,” said Prisha Sheth ’28.

“We are all together to watch this historic moment,” Sheth said.

Outside of Harvard, Cambridge voters were concerned about the possibility – now reality – of a second Trump term.

“When you’re a CEO, you’re in charge, and often you don’t even have to report to a board of directors,” said Cambridge resident Fen Portman. “But in a democracy, you’re part of a larger system, and there are a lot of checks and balances.”

Jeffrey Richards said in an interview from a polling station at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School that he thought Trump winning back the White House would be bad for the country.

“If Trump wins, there will be chaos,” Richards said.

Brett D. “David” Brannon ’21, who attended the watch party, disagrees with the pessimistic views on Trump’s re-election.

“More than half of Americans agree with President Trump on issues like immigration and the economy,” Brannon said.

“If they can’t connect with these people, it’s a problem with their education, not these people,” he added.

—Diego Garcia-Moreno, Ryan A. Lopez and Mana Tsuruta contributed reporting from Cambridge.

—Editor Samuel A. Church reported from Cambridge. He can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on @samuelachurch.

—Editor Grace E. Yoon reported from Cambridge. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on @graceunkyoon.

—Editor Frank S. Zhou reported from Washington. He can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on @frank_s_zhou or on discussions @frank_s_zhou.