Donald Trump has emerged as the 47th President of the United States, after winning over 292 electoral college votes in the 2024 election.
Trump won the election having crossed the 270 score required to clinch the White House.
As of the time of filing this report, Vice President Kamala Harris had polled 224 votes in the electoral college system, according to the Associated Press.
On the heels of the results, President Joe Biden called President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his election victory and to invite him to the White House to discuss the transition.
The White House said staff would coordinate a date “in the near future.”
Biden plans to address the nation on the election results, which will have sharp implications for his legacy on Thursday.
Biden also spoke with Vice President Harris to congratulate her on her campaign, the AP reports.
Addressing a massive crowd of supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, Trump vowed to deliver a “strong, safe, and richer America,” while outlining his key priorities and echoing his promise to restore the country’s former glory.
“We are going to secure our borders immediately. No illegal immigrants will be allowed to enter this country,” he declared to cheering supporters, according to NDTV.
On international relations, Trump declared his intention to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas-Lebanon conflict, stating, “I would not start a war; I will end one.”
A prominent theme of Trump’s speech was his intent to reduce federal income taxes, which he framed as essential to bolstering the economy.
“We will cut taxes and bring prosperity to American families,” he affirmed, stressing financial relief for working and middle-class Americans.
Trump also spoke glowingly of a vaccine sceptic and environmental lawyer, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who he said would play a key role in his administration.
Amid chants of “Bobby, Bobby,” Trump expressed his support for Kennedy, promising, “He wants to do some things, and we are going to let him go to it.” Trump humorously added, “But Bobby, leave the oil to me.”
Referencing recent assassination attempts against him during the campaign, Trump credited his survival to a divine purpose.
“Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason, and that reason was to save our country,” he said.
In his vision for the future, Trump pledged a “golden age” for America, declaring, “America’s future will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer, and stronger than it has ever been before.”
In a nod to Elon Musk, Trump praised the tech mogul as a “new star” and stressed the importance of protecting “super geniuses” like Musk for the country’s future innovation.
As Trump prepares to assume office on January 20, 2025, he promised, “I will not rest until we have delivered a strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu and other world leaders have extended their congratulations to the US President-elect.
Tinubu said he looked forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the US amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
His congratulatory message was conveyed through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu congratulates President-elect Trump.’
Tinubu said, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
According to him, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.
He also congratulated the US electorate on their commitment to democracy.
“President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States,” Onanuga noted.
Tinubu also acknowledged the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, trusting that President Trump would bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warmly welcomed Trump’s win, calling it “history’s greatest comeback” and expressing optimism about a new chapter in the US-Israel alliance.
Netanyahu described Trump’s return as a chance for a renewed commitment to their close strategic partnership, especially on regional security matters.
China’s reaction was cautiously optimistic, calling for “peaceful coexistence” in future US-China relations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed hope for mutual respect and collaboration, indicating China’s interest in maintaining a stable relationship while preparing for Trump’s typically assertive stance, particularly on trade and economic issues.
French President Emmanuel Macron extended a diplomatic message, affirming his readiness to work with Trump “with respect and ambition.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump, emphasising hopes for “just peace” in Ukraine and expressing appreciation for Trump’s “peace through strength” philosophy.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed Trump’s win, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen the alliance.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent warm congratulations to Trump, referring to him as a “friend” and expressing optimism for renewed US-India collaboration.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt phoned Trump to congratulate him on his election, according to a statement from the Egyptian leader’s office.
El-Sissi has affirmed: “Egypt looks forward to completing the joint work with President Trump during his new term … in a way that benefits the Egyptian and American peoples and achieves stability, peace and development in the Middle East.”
Meanwhile, Harris will deliver her concession speech at Howard University, her alma mater, in her first public address since election results indicated a victory for Trump.
Her speech will formally acknowledge the election outcome and her defeat in the closely watched race.
The Republican Party has regained control of the US Senate, marking their first majority in the chamber in four years, according to the Associated Press.
This shift gives the Republican Party a foothold in Washington, positioning them to influence key decisions, including the confirmation of the next president’s cabinet and any Supreme Court nominees should a vacancy arise.
While Republicans now hold the Senate, the race for control of the House of Representatives remains undecided, with both parties vying for a majority.
However, reactions to Trump’s victory were mixed with former Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, expressing profound disappointment.
Akinyemi, a respected voice on global democracy and international relations, criticised Trump’s election as a setback for America’s democratic ideals, calling it a “victory of crudity over refinement.”
Speaking in an interview on Arise television, he said, “What has just happened in the United States is a victory of crudity over refinement, a victory for all that the United States should not stand for.
“It’s a victory for what the world is not expecting from a country that says it is a bright light on a shining hill. I first went to the United States in 1962, and that America is not the America that voted for Trump.”
Akinyemi, who has long championed values of democracy and rational leadership, questioned the example set by the US in re-electing a controversial figure.
“You must stand for rationality. How can you vote for somebody who has been convicted of 34 crimes? How can you vote for somebody who almost overturned an election? By what message are you sending to the rest of the world? Tell me,” he queried.
For Akinyemi, Trump’s election reflected a growing divide between Western democratic ideals and the expectations of nations in the global south.
He stated, “For us in Nigeria, in the global south, who are supposed to be fighting for democracy, for decency, for honesty, what message have you sent?”
Similarly, a retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, noted that Trump’s doctrine may lead to a decline in American influence, creating space for other major powers, especially China, to gradually assert more influence on the world stage.
The ex-diplomat, in an interview with The PUNCH, described Trump’s policies, which appeared unilateral and sometimes confrontational, as a potential setback for America’s global leadership.
Amedu-Ode said, “It is unfortunate that Trump has triumphed in the electoral process. For me, it is a continuation of the Trump doctrine of American forces which spells doom for the country.
“America will begin to lose its clout across the globe. Other major powers will emerge not overnight but it is a gradual thing. All fingers are pointing at China.”
A retired Consul to Cameroon and delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Amb Rasheed Akinkuolie, viewed Trump as a straightforward leader, emphasising his non-diplomatic, direct approach as an advantage.
According to Akinkuolie, Trump’s style may bring positive changes, especially in complex geopolitical regions like the Middle East, where he believes Trump is respected and thus positioned to promote peace.
“Trump is not a diplomat nor a politician. He is straightforward. His presidential victory is a welcoming development. Trump is one person that would bring peace to the Middle East because he is well respected,” he said.
A foreign relations expert, Charles Onunaiju, projected limited benefits from Trump’s presidency.
He explained that for Africa, the US interest would continue to be limited, primarily focused on countering Chinese and Russian influence rather than fostering economic partnerships.
Onunaiju predicted the African Growth and Opportunity Act will face further setbacks under Trump, particularly due to Trump’s emphasis on reshoring manufacturing to the US, which could marginalise African economies in its trade policy.
He also suggested that this shift could open up opportunities for Africa to seek diverse international partnerships, particularly with Asian economies, for technology and investment needs.
Regarding Europe, China, and the Middle East, Onunaiju anticipated that Trump would reassert a protectionist stance by imposing tariffs and reducing American involvement in foreign conflicts.
“So, for Africa, very little will happen to the continent. The platform of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act, which was to promote trade between the US and Africa, will suffer tremendously.
“But, at the same time, it will offer Africa a window to dive into higher international partnerships and engage with other emerging poles, especially in Asia, and in other parts of the world, where we can actually leverage our need for investment, technology, and more trade.
“This is something the United States cannot, in objective terms, offer to Africa. So, I think Trump’s victory is both an opportunity and also a challenge to Africa.”
Meanwhile, outgoing President Biden has 74 days remaining in his term, with the transition of power set to take place on the steps of the US Capitol.
